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After four days without clear answers regarding the whereabouts of the 13 missing individuals in the devastating fire and explosions at the munitions warehouse in Melones, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, Holguín province, Cubans on social media are demanding that the authorities clarify the situation.
The incident has generated a growing outrage among the victims' families and internet users, who are demanding immediate action while the silence from the authorities remains deafening.
Of the 13 missing, nine are young recruits and four are officers of the Armed Forces.
According to family members on Facebook, the authorities have not demonstrated a real commitment to rescuing their loved ones, which has led to increased frustration and desperation.
Among the victims are the Majors Leonar Palma Matos and Carlos Carreño del Rio, the Second Non-Commissioned Officers Orlebanis Tamé Torres and Yoennis Pérez Durán, and nine young soldiers, whose names are Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco, Frank Antonio Hidalgo Almaguer, Liander José García Oliva, Yunior Hernández Rojas, Rayme Rojas Rojas, Carlos Alejandro Acosta Silva, Brian Lázaro Rojas Long, José Carlos Guerrero García, and Héctor Adrián Batista Zayas.
"It is painful and disheartening to know that for 3 days and 13 hours, 9 children and 4 officials have been missing, with no answers of any kind or support from the authorities," wrote a family member on social media.
This feeling of helplessness is shared by many, who argue that the government has abandoned the victims to their fate, claiming that new explosions may occur, and without making significant efforts to access the ground zero of the disaster.
The situation in the area of the explosions remains complicated. The temperature there, according to official sources, exceeds 300 degrees Celsius, putting "the rescue operations and the lives of those trapped at risk."
However, several members of the families of the missing have expressed that they would be willing to enter the area on their own if necessary, in order to recover the bodies or find the survivors.
"We are willing to risk our lives. If they do not have the courage to rescue them, then let us, the family and friends, go in to look for them. We no longer want any more empty promises or lies," denounced another family member on social media, as others joined in the widespread cry of desperation.
The lack of information is another critical point in this tragedy. Since the explosion occurred, state media has provided few details about the progress of rescue efforts. Reports from Televisión News and Granma have focused on the evacuation of residents from the area, without directly addressing the situation of the missing or the actions taken to access the most affected area.
Social media has become a key space for denouncing the lack of responses from the authorities. "All they tell us is to remain calm, but how can we stay calm when our children, nieces, friends, and brothers are there, trapped?" expressed Luis Manuel Driggs, a relative of one of the missing individuals.
The feeling of abandonment is palpable in every comment from family and friends demanding immediate answers. “They are letting us die. We can't keep waiting. We need action, no more lies or excuses,” said Yusmari Roja, who also has a relative among the missing.
Internet users also stated, "And the recruits who managed to escape also have the truth in their hands. Families, investigate; do not leave it to THEM. They are your children and relatives, and life is the only gift we don’t receive twice. They need to come forward and face the situation; it's time. No, it's not just time—it's already late. They have taken too long."
"Not even on the NTV have they talked more about the issue. The people, the desperate families, and the country are celebrating Maduro's victory in Venezuela. How much longer?"
"I agree with you, what they are is heartless; they lack the guts to enter but have no problem sending others to their deaths. Let us, the family and friends who come for our children, be allowed to enter. I would give my life for Frank and for everyone. Down with mandatory military service; we don't want any more deaths, we don't want any more families torn apart by any irresponsible person," said another.
The incident recalled the fire at the Matanzas supertanker base, where several recruits from the Military Service were sent to ground zero without any experience in firefighting and tragically lost their lives in the blaze.
The Cuban people are increasingly demanding the end of mandatory military service, which claims the lives of several adolescents on the island each year, while the regime defends it.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosion at the Military Warehouse in Holguín
How many people are missing after the explosion in Holguín?
In total, there are 13 missing persons following the explosion at the military warehouse in Melones, Holguín. Of these, nine are young recruits from Military Service and four are Armed Forces officers.
Why haven't the authorities started the rescue operations in the affected area?
The authorities have not entered the explosion area because the risk of new explosions is high and the temperature in the area exceeds 300 degrees Celsius, which jeopardizes rescue operations.
How has the population reacted to the lack of responses from the authorities?
The Cuban population has shown great indignation and despair at the lack of responses and concrete actions from the authorities. On social media, many are demanding transparency and real efforts to rescue the missing.
What measures have local authorities taken in response to the explosion?
Local authorities have issued messages of solidarity, urging the families of the victims to keep hope alive. However, they have not provided details on the progress of the search efforts nor offered concrete solutions.
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