Related videos:
The train accident that occurred last Saturday, December 7, which caused a massive oil spill, affected the natural environment and dozens of homes in the community of Guayos, Sancti Spíritus.
The impact, which involved two trains carrying fuel and other resources, triggered an environmental tragedy that continues to persist despite the efforts of dozens of workers from the Sergio Soto Refinery in Cabaiguán, who are trying to recover the crude oil and clean the area, explained the local newspaper Escambray.
According to images published by the state media and testimonies from workers, the spilled crude oil has reached alarming proportions, even affecting the branches of nearby trees and the yards of homes located next to the railway.
In some photos, oil can be seen even in the surrounding vegetation, although the oil workers claimed that "we have little left."
The accident occurred shortly after seven in the morning on December 7, when Extra Train No. 67, transporting resources from the Mariel Special Development Zone, collided with Extra Train No. 912, which was headed to the Sergio Soto Refinery. The impact caused one of the six fuel tankers to derail, releasing an estimated 60,000 liters of crude oil.
Although fortunately there were no fatalities, the disaster was significant in scale.
The community of Guayos, located very close to the railway tracks, witnessed the direct impact of the accident. "I thought the world was coming to an end from the noise," recounted Idania Vera Cañizares, one of the affected residents, who saw oil flooding her yard and the surrounding area.
The refinery staff, led by Carlos Enríquez Díaz Bernal, the assistant director of the plant, stated that "the oil is being transferred to tankers for processing." So far, nearly 70% of the crude oil has been recovered, amounting to approximately 42,000 liters.
The containment efforts have involved various brigades, including those from the Ministry of the Interior, the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and the Base Business Unit (UEB) of Engineering Works.
Filed under: