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The Cuban regime reported on Thursday that several high-ranking military leaders and local officials were injured during the explosions that occurred at the military unit in Melones, Holguín, which left at least 13 people missing, most of whom were young cadets.
A note from the government newspaper Granma indicated that "several high officials were injured due to the violence of the shockwave. Among them is Alexis Deiggs Gómez, president of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power, who suffered a cut to the forehead from glass shards thrown by the explosion."
Deiggs reported that, along with General Eugenio Rabilero Aguilera, head of the Eastern Army, and other members of the Municipal Defense Council, he was near a burning silo when the shockwave hit them, throwing them to the ground.
After receiving medical attention, all the injured individuals recovered without serious aftereffects and continued their supervisory and support tasks for the evacuees, the newspaper emphasizes.
Division General Ramón Pardo Guerra, head of the National Civil Defense Staff, described the event as a "technology-related disaster" the causes of which are still under investigation.
According to officials from the Eastern Army, no new explosions have been reported since early Wednesday morning, and constant monitoring is being maintained through various means, including drones.
More than 490 residents from nearby areas have been evacuated, assured Alexander Peña González, president of the Defense Council of the Melones Zone, one of the evacuated localities.
"The warning was issued after the first severe explosions, starting with the closest towns such as Sao Nuevo, followed by El Cerro and Sao Redondo," Peña detailed.
Last Tuesday, multiple explosions occurred at the military ammunition depot in Melones, Holguín, due to a fire during the sorting of aged munitions.
The explosions have left 13 people missing, including military personnel and young recruits, and have triggered a massive evacuation in the area.
The day before, the regime acknowledged that the situation remained sensitive, as explosions continued to occur, complicating access to ground zero and thus the search for the missing.
Frequently asked questions about the explosion at the military unit in Holguín
What caused the explosions at the military unit in Holguín?
The explosions at the military unit in Melones, Holguín, were caused by a fire while old ammunition was being sorted. The fire triggered multiple detonations, resulting in the disappearance of 13 people and a mass evacuation in the area.
How many people have been evacuated due to the incident?
After the explosions, more than 1,200 people were evacuated from the area near the military warehouse in Melones, Holguín, as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the explosion in Holguín?
The Cuban regime, through MINFAR, has reported on the explosions and the evacuation measures, but has not provided conclusive details about the missing persons, generating criticism for the secrecy in official communication.
What is the situation of the 13 missing individuals following the explosion?
So far, 13 people remain missing following the explosions at the military warehouse in Holguín, including four officers and nine young recruits. The chances of finding survivors are slim due to the scale of the disaster.
What criticisms have been raised against Mandatory Military Service in Cuba following the incident?
The incident in Holguín has sparked criticism of the Mandatory Military Service in Cuba, highlighting the precariousness and dangers of the military system that exposes inexperienced youth to unnecessary risks.
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