A Cuban woman drowns at a beach in Santiago de Cuba.

The tragic incident occurred on the morning of this Wednesday.

Playa Buey Cabón (i) (Referencia) y Personas que fueron testigos del ahogamiento (d) © Collage Facebook/Santiago es Santiago - Facebook/Yosmany Mayeta Labrada
Buey Cabón Beach (i) (Reference) and Persons who witnessed the drowning (d)Photo © Collage Facebook/Santiago es Santiago - Facebook/Yosmany Mayeta Labrada

On the morning of this Wednesday, an elderly woman died after suffering a drowning incident at Buey Cabón beach, in the municipality of Guamá, Santiago de Cuba.

The victim - whose identity has not yet been revealed - was transported alive to a local health center, but ended up passing away, according to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on social media.

The circumstances in which the woman drowned are still unclear, but the mentioned communicator did specify—referring to witness reports—that the drivers of several vehicles who were at the beach at that moment refused to provide assistance to take the victim to a hospital, something that caused outrage among several of those present.

"Many bathers were outraged by this regrettable scene, inhumane and cold, at a time when a woman needed to be assisted," reported Mayeta Labrada, who shared photos of the cars whose drivers allegedly refused to transport the woman in need of help.

"Many times we don't realize that indifference also kills," concluded the communicator.

At the moment, it is only known that the victim lived in the Nuevo Vista Alegre neighborhood, in the main municipality, and that her name was "Amarilis," as identified by a witness who confirmed the indifference of the drivers present at the scene.

"More than an hour my family spent asking for a car to help them, and even my pregnant daughter heard one of them say 'I didn't take the car because I didn't want to.' It's sad to see how we destroy each other and don't support one another. My mother had to throw herself in front of a car almost to receive assistance. Rest in peace, Amarilis," wrote an internet user identified as "La Pérez de Cuba."

The same source specified that it was a sick lady who drowned on the same shore, despite it being a beach that is not particularly dangerous or deep.

"It was the birthday of her only granddaughter. She was a person dedicated to her children and family. It's sad everything that happened today and the agony that was experienced at that moment," she indicated.

Several commentators pointed out that the family has the right to report those who refused to provide assistance, as such behavior is punishable by law.

Another commentator who claimed to be a relative present with the woman at the time of the tragedy explained that she was given first aid and that when she reacted, she asked the drivers present for help, but they refused.

"I don't know to what extent they denied assistance to the lady in this case, nor why they might have done it, whether it was because they were drunk, due to not having a companion, or simply because they didn't want to leave the beach. I deeply regret the loss of human wisdom," concluded an internet user.

As of the closure of this report, no further details have emerged about what occurred, nor has the tragic incident been confirmed by local official media.

Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of its kind reported in Santiago de Cuba in recent months.

At the end of May, a young man died in Santiago de Cuba after drowning at La Estrella beach, a small stretch of coast near El Morro.

Just a few days before that incident, two other young people drowned at Sardinero beach, also in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, when a group of nine people –including three minors– were bathing in that dangerous coastal area, where it is officially prohibited to do so.

In that case, the first deceased young woman was identified as Rachel Mora Torres, 20 years old and a resident of Mangos de Baraguá, as confirmed by Aris Arias Batalla, provincial head of Aquatic Safety and Operations and Rescue of the Red Cross.

The other deceased was Yasel Alberto Bicet, also 20 years old and a resident of the Abel Santamaría neighborhood, who had been missing for several hours, although his body was later found.

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