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The risk of further explosions prevents authorities from entering the area of the military unit in the community of Melones, Holguín, where a fire occurred, to commence the search for the 13 missing individuals.
Joel Queipo Ruíz, the first secretary of the Party in the province, reported that specialized actions are being carried out in a specific area, but until the explosions cease, they will not enter the exact location where the incident occurred.
"A specific site of the incident cannot yet be accessed due to the ongoing explosion process, although it is less intense than in previous days, posing a risk to the physical safety of any human action. As soon as conditions permit, access to the location will be granted with all established safety measures," he stated on his Facebook wall.
For now, the only progress is that the return home of the evacuated individuals has been authorized, as their homes are located at a distance that no longer poses a risk of any future impact related to the accident at the site.
"The contact with the families of the missing remains, and our people are kept informed," the leader added.
Families are complaining that the authorities are doing nothing to save their loved ones.
"They did not search at any moment. They told the families that they could not do it because it could cause more explosions and they could not risk more lives, and they had to wait 72 hours," denounced Jesús Antonio, uncle of the recruit Liander José García Oliva, 19 years old.
"They went to the parents' house and communicated that there was no probability of survival, and if anyone were alive, they would have tried to escape by now. It hurts me because they declared them dead without searching for them," he added.
The residents of the village of Melones experienced moments of panic and distress on Tuesday when they began to hear explosions from a fire in an Army ammunition depot. Initially, most reacted by staying in their homes, but soon they decided that the best course of action was to flee.
Videos shared on social media show the fear and distress of the neighbors as the explosions were heard and no one knew the cause. The people ran out of their homes and started to flee while calling out to one another.
"Calm down, woman, calm down!" a man said to his wife, who was walking several meters ahead on the road. "Oh, I can't," she replied, her voice filled with distress.
"Oh my God! Let's all go, let's get out of here!" shouted another alarmed woman.
Hours after the incident, the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) confirmed that there are 13 missing: four officers and nine soldiers, whom many now consider to be dead.
The tragic incident was caused by a fire while old ammunition was being sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the explosions at the Melones military unit in Holguín
What caused the explosions at the Melones military facility?
The explosions were caused by a fire while aging munitions were being sorted in a military warehouse in Melones, Holguín. This incident has raised significant concern due to the risks associated with handling explosive materials in potentially outdated facilities.
How many people are missing following the explosions in Holguín?
The explosions have resulted in 13 missing persons, including four officers and nine soldiers who were carrying out their Active Military Service. The search for the missing has been hampered by the risk of further explosions in the area.
What measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the nearby population?
More than 1,200 people have been evacuated from nearby areas as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety. Authorities have assured that the situation is under control, although concerns remain among residents due to past incidents of a similar nature.
What do the authorities say about the possibility of finding survivors?
Authorities have informed the families of the missing that the chances of finding survivors are almost nil due to the magnitude of the explosions and the high temperatures recorded at the site.
What has been the response of the Cuban government to the incident?
The Cuban government has maintained a habitual secrecy in official communication, limiting itself to expressing solidarity with the families of the missing and assuring that the causes of the incident are being investigated. However, the lack of detailed information has generated criticism and distrust among the population.
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