The situation at the military ammunition warehouse located in Melones, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre in Holguín, remains critical, as explosions have continued to occur, complicating access to ground zero and thereby hindering the search for the missing.
Thus, indicated the official communicator, Lisandra Martín, who updated on the topic on her Facebook profile with details that have been lacking in media such as Cubadebate and Granma.
According to Martín -who set the update time for 8:00 p.m. on this Wednesday- the most recent explosion up to that moment had occurred at 3 p.m. on this January 8th.
He specified that the temperature, according to the thermoradiographic readings at that time, exceeded 300 degrees.
"Today, at 4:00 PM, each of the families of the missing was informed that the chances of them being alive are almost nil. Specialists claim there is little chance of survival," he noted.
The official spokesperson stated that, although "there is nothing that can repair the anguish of those parents," actions are taken "with great respect, adhering to regulations, and with full sensitivity to the situation."
He also added that all the necessary personnel and resources are available for all the actions that need to be taken once access to the site can be gained.
"The information I provide you, of course, is neither limited nor confidential; it is known to the competent authorities," he concluded.
Meanwhile, a report from the Television News and a article from Granma, focused almost exclusively on the development of evacuations of residents in the area, but omitted any reference to the missing, as well as the progress of efforts to access ground zero of the tragedy.
“Now what we need to do is wait, calmly, patiently until we can finish and recover from these events”, said General Division and President of Civil Defense, Ramón Pardo Guerra, in statements to the News, but this was in reference to the evacuees, meaning he also omitted any mention of the missing.
“The area is still unstable, so monitoring continues while the investigations are ongoing,” was the conclusion of the televised report by journalist Iván Romero, who made no mention whatsoever of the 13 missing persons.
In recent hours, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) only referred to the article from Granma.
Meanwhile, in statements to the independent media 14ymedio, local residents expressed serious concern for the lives of the missing individuals, four military personnel and nine recruits.
"Throughout the night, explosions continued to be heard, and we have been told that they may continue for up to four days or more," said a resident of Melones interviewed this Wednesday by the mentioned outlet.
"My son served in that unit a few years ago, and his superiors never allowed him to go down to the weapons and munitions storage area because they claimed it was outdated and that it was better for recruits not to enter there," the source added.
"My son says that if this keeps blowing up, with everything that's stored underground, Melones is going off the map.", he concluded.
On social media, some family members have begun to express their concerns about how the authorities are handling the case.
At the same time, the population erupts time and again in outrage across various forums due to the official national press's indifference toward the fate of potential victims.
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba confirmed on Wednesday that 13 people are missing as a result of the incident: two hold the rank of major and two more are second non-commissioned officers; the remaining nine have been identified as "soldiers."
The missing "soldiers" 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.
The missing military personnel are Majors Leonar Palma Matos and Carlos Carreño del Rio, and Second Sergeants Orlebanis Tamé Torres and Yoennis Pérez Durán.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosions in Holguín and Military Service in Cuba
What happened at the military warehouse in Holguín?
In the military ammunition depot in Melones, Holguín, multiple explosions have occurred due to a fire during the classification of aging munitions. The explosions have left 13 people missing, including military personnel and young recruits, and have caused a massive evacuation in the area.
How many people are missing after the explosions?
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (MINFAR) has confirmed that 13 people are missing as a result of the explosions at the military warehouse in Holguín. Among the missing are two captains, two second corporals, and nine soldiers.
What has been the official response of the Cuban government to the incident?
The official response has been criticized for its delay and lack of details. The government has expressed its condolences to the families of the missing and has promised to investigate the causes of the fire. However, the absence of clear information and the perception of indifference have generated outrage among the population.
How does this incident affect the debate on Mandatory Military Service in Cuba?
The incident has reignited the debate over Mandatory Military Service (MMS) in Cuba, especially because nine of the missing are young recruits fulfilling their MMS duties. Critics of the regime point to the hazardous conditions and lack of training as reasons to reevaluate this policy.
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