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The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) published an "Informative Note" on Friday confirming the return of the evacuated individuals to their homes following the explosions at a military warehouse in the community of Melones, Holguín, but avoided any specific reference to what the "actions" are to locate the 13 missing persons.
"Continuing with the response to the tragic incident that took place on January 7th at a construction site involving war materials in the locality of Melones, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, and in relation to the current situation observed; the Provincial Defense Council, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior have agreed to allow the protected individuals to return to their homes, which are situated at a distance that no longer poses risks of future harm due to the accident," explained the MINFAR in a lengthy initial statement.
Next, the highest authority of the Armed Forces in Cuba pointed out that "specialized actions are ongoing", without specifying what they are or their intended purpose.
“As soon as conditions allow, access to the site will be granted with all the established protective measures. We are maintaining contact with the families of the missing and keeping our people informed,” thus concluded the Ministry of the Armed Forces in their perplexing statement.
In the comments section of the Facebook post, several citizens expressed their outrage at the elusive nature of MINFAR, which seems to be playing a game of deception rather than providing information.
"This country is a social disaster. Supposedly there was no danger to the community, but evacuation was necessary. They feed the people lies as if they were small children. Thanks to the internet, people can know and stay informed, because on the NTV they first talk about whatever rubbish comes to mind and then, when they address the disaster, they do so as briefly as possible," complained a commentator.
"I am sure that if the only source of information had been the state-run press, no one would know anything, and the news of such a disaster would not have gone beyond the local area. They would have invented some lie as always, and that would be that. A floral tribute, four worthless medals for those who lost their lives, and a cynical 'I’m sorry,'” he concluded.
The explosions are not over yet
Previously, Joel Queipo Ruíz, the First Secretary of the Party in the province, had also mentioned "specialized actions" that are currently being undertaken.
He did not specify which ones, but went a bit further than the MINFAR and clarified that until the explosions cease, they will not enter the specific area where the incident occurred.
This last detail, despite its extreme importance, was omitted by the MINFAR in its unfortunate "Informative Note".
"It is still not possible to enter the specific site of the incident due to the ongoing explosion process, although with less intensity than in previous days, but there is a risk to the physical safety of any human action. As soon as conditions allow, access to the site will be granted with all established protective measures," wrote Queipo Ruiz.
Meanwhile, the families of the 13 missing individuals 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 chance of survival, that if anyone were alive, they would have already tried to get out. It hurts me because they declared them dead without searching for them," he added.
Residents of the town of Melones experienced moments of panic and distress on Tuesday as they began to hear explosions from a fire at an Army munitions depot. Initially, most people decided to stay in their homes, but soon they concluded that it was best to flee.
Videos shared on social media showed the fear of residents in the area as explosions were heard and no one knew the cause. People ran out of their homes and began to flee while calling out to each other.
Hours after the incident, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces confirmed that there are 13 missing: four officers and nine soldiers, many of whom are already presumed dead.
The tragic incident was caused by a fire while aging ammunition was being sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosions at the Holguín Military Warehouse
What caused the explosions at the military warehouse in Holguín?
The explosions were caused by a fire while aging munitions were being sorted in a weapons storage facility in the community of Melones, Holguín. This type of material is particularly sensitive and requires strict handling and storage conditions, highlighting potential failures in safety protocols.
What is the situation of the missing persons following the explosions in Holguín?
Until now, 13 people are missing, including four officers and nine soldiers. The situation remains delicate, and authorities have indicated that the chances of survival are almost zero due to the magnitude of the explosions. The families of the missing have expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of immediate action to rescue their loved ones.
What measures have been taken following the explosions in Holguín?
More than 1,200 people from nearby communities were evacuated as a preventive measure. Authorities have authorized the return of the evacuees to their homes, although access to the specific site of the incident is restricted due to the risk of further explosions. Investigations are underway to determine the exact causes of the fire.
How has the Cuban government responded to the incident in Holguín?
The government's response has been criticized for its lack of transparency and effective action. The MINFAR issued vague informational notes without details about the rescue efforts, and President Miguel Díaz-Canel was criticized for prioritizing a message of condolences to China before addressing the situation in Holguín. The public has expressed its outrage over the scant media coverage and official secrecy.
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