Second train derailment in less than a week in Cuba

The train heading to the "Marta Abreu" Central University of Las Villas (UCLV) will not be able to provide transportation service to students and workers due to a derailment that occurred on a secondary track.

This was reported by the Provincial Government of the People's Power of Villa Clara through a statement shared on social media, in which it informed the university community that the train "will not have its usual departure this Monday, September 16, 2024."

"The situation arises from its derailment on one of the secondary tracks. Although the railway crane was moved to get it back on track, it has still not been possible to resolve it," indicated the governing body.

After the incident, the authorities agreed to strengthen transportation with buses that will depart from the following points: Buen Viaje corner of Calle la Cruz; and the train terminal stop.

"As soon as the train service is restored, information will be provided by the media," the communication added.

The poor condition of the railways and the lack of investment in the country's railway infrastructure is taking a toll on the public transport managed by Miguel Díaz-Canel's government. The derailment of the "university train" is the second to occur in Cuba in less than a week.

Last Thursday, one hundred meters of railway tracks were affected in Matanzas following the derailment of a cargo train between the stations of the Central Line of Quintana and Jovellanos, without any loss of life to mourn.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:35 a.m., when locomotive 312055 of Train Extra 69 derailed and overturned three container flatcars at kilometer 151.

The train consisted of 16 cars, of which 14 were flat container cars loaded by the company FerroMar S.A., heading to the province of Villa Clara.

A report from the General Directorate of Railways indicated that only the overturned container flatcars were numbers seven, eight, and nine in the formation, so the locomotive and the others did not have problems.

At the end of August, in the early morning, the national train No. 18, which covered the route Manzanillo-Havana, suffered a derailment in the municipality of Jobabo, Las Tunas.

The accident occurred at 00:05 hours at the level crossing of the Jobabo station, affecting the front part of the locomotive. Despite the potential severity of the incident, authorities confirmed that there were no injuries or significant material damage.

On board the train were 159 children, 72 elderly people, two pregnant women, and 18 individuals with special needs, all of whom are in good health. According to preliminary information, recent rains in the region may have caused damage to the railway, which could have led to the derailment.