Driver suffers accident after falling into a pothole in Santiago de Cuba

A traffic accident occurred this Tuesday on Avenida Patria, between Antúnez and Bacardí, in Santiago de Cuba, when a motorcyclist fell into a pothole and was thrown off, colliding with another vehicle.

According to the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, as stated on Facebook, eyewitnesses reported that the motorcyclist was trapped under the involved car, whose driver quickly came to his aid.

Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, witnesses indicated that he did not appear to have sustained serious injuries, although his actual health condition remains unknown. So far, the identity of the affected motorist and his clinical progression have not been confirmed, the spokesperson added.

The accident has once again highlighted the poor condition of the streets in Santiago de Cuba, especially the potholes that pose a constant danger to drivers and pedestrians.

A few hours ago, it was reported that two recruits serving in the Active Military Service (SMA) died after being struck by a bus in the areas of the Special Development Zone of Mariel (ZEDM), in the province of Artemisa, according to various reports, although official sources remain silent about the incident.

The tragic incident is reported to have occurred around three in the afternoon on Sunday, when a bus lost control and violently crashed into a security booth at the entrance of the premises.

Furthermore, the number of fatalities from the tragic accident that occurred on the afternoon of Friday, May 23, at kilometer 277 of the National Highway, in the province of Villa Clara, has risen to five.

The accident involved two vehicles, a Peugeot 405 with license plate P 122 449 and a Geely MK with license plate P 202 650, which collided head-on.

Initially, four fatalities were reported at the accident site and three individuals were critically injured. Later, the state-run newspaper Granma confirmed that one of the injured passed away while receiving specialized medical care at the Arnaldo Milián Castro Provincial Hospital, increasing the death toll to five.

During the past year, Cuba has been the scene of multiple mass accidents that have resulted in a worrying toll of victims. One of the most serious occurred on January 20 in Ciego de Ávila, where six people lost their lives and another 59 were injured following the collision of two buses on the road between Morón and the Island of Turiguanó. The investigations pointed to human error as the main cause.

According to official data, in 2024 7,507 traffic accidents were reported, resulting in 634 fatalities and 6,613 injuries. These figures, although lower than the previous year in the number of incidents and deaths, reflect an increase in injuries.

Among the main identified causes are lack of attention while driving, disrespect for right of way, excessive speed, and consumption of alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions about Traffic Accidents in Santiago de Cuba