News about a train derailment is becoming more frequent in Cuba and although its consequences are often minor, they are revealing about the current state of the train. railway on the island.
On Wednesday night, the accident train was the passenger train that covered the Holguín-Havana route. The incident occurred in the yard of the Bartle community, in Las Tunas, when the train “was traveling at very low speed.” as reported the Cuban minister of transportation.
As a consequence, “locomotive 52554 and the first car in the formation (which has the equipment for the train’s electrical generation) derailed, although they remained hooked to the cars,” explained Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila on Facebook.
According to the official, there are no injuries reported, “nor damage to the integrity of the passengers or crew,” while the remaining cars “did not suffer any damage.”
The minister confirmed that an additional locomotive had arrived at the scene of the accident to transport the train to the Las Tunas central station “for better care of passengers and crew.” The note does not specify the expected time for the continuation of the trip.
“Corresponding measures”
In his publication, Rodríguez Dávila stated that “from the first moment” the “corresponding measures in a case like this” had begun to be adopted.
In this regard, he reported on the “immediate” activation of “a management position in the Ministry of Transportation, in coordination with local authorities, in order to promote the continuity of passenger travel and the restoration of the road.”
He also said that “a commission would be formed to investigate this fact that we regret” and promised to provide more details through official channels “as more information becomes available.”
Although minor and fortunately without serious consequences, yesterday’s derailment is the most recent in a series of railway accidents that have occurred in recent times in Cuba, some of which have left victims and considerable damage to equipment and tracks.
Among the most recent events of this type are the derailment of a freight train at the beginning of September in Mayabequewhich caused a honey spill; and that of this same Holguín-Havana route in August upon arrival in the capital, although without injuries or serious damage.
Derailment of a freight train causes a honey spill in Mayabeque
Also in August, but in Matanzasanother event of this type left at least three minor injuries and seven cars derailed. In addition to the damage to the cars, the accident affected about 250 meters of railway track and forced rail traffic to be temporarily interrupted.
Although authorities have not publicly delved into the reason for these accidents, reports mainly point to damage to the roads themselves, caused by maintenance problems and alleged acts of vandalism.
