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The cousin of one of the nine recruits missing after the explosions that occurred due to a fire at an Army storage facility in the town of Melones, Holguín, asked on the Internet for prayers for the young man.
Yilena Roche Arcaya, a mother, shared a photo with her cousin Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco in the group Facebook "Revolico Antilla".
"Please, I ask everyone to pray and help me ask my God for my cousin Leinier Sánchez Franco, who is one of the children missing in the explosion," she pleaded.
"My God, I ask you. Help me, Father, for him to appear alive," she added.
Hundreds of people commented on the post, moved by the youth of the boy, barely a teenager.
"God, he is a child. God help that family, he is their only son. God help this family and the other families that are in the same situation," expressed the user Iván Guzmán.
"It's from Antilla," pointed out the internet user Idania Camacho Aguilera.
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) confirmed that there are 13 missing as a result of the explosions that occurred early Tuesday morning at an armaments and munitions warehouse in the Melones community of the Rafael Freyre municipality.
The MINFAR identified four officers: two Majors, two Second Sergeants, and nine soldiers; among them is the young Leinier Sánchez Franco.
Although the official statement did not specify it, many internet users on social media agree that the nine soldiers are young individuals fulfilling their military service, which has fueled outrage among Cubans.
This Wednesday, the local authorities issued a message of solidarity with the families of the victims, urging them to keep "hope alive" amid the anguish and uncertainty.
"We know that the anguish of not knowing the whereabouts of loved ones is an immense burden, and we want you to know that our thoughts and hopes are with you," the statement expresses.
The text emphasized the importance of mutual support and collective strength in difficult times, but with the usual secrecy in official communication, it avoided providing details about the missing or updates on access to the explosion site.
Frequently asked questions about the explosion at the military warehouse in Holguín and the disappearance of the recruits.
How many people are missing after the explosion in Holguín?
Thirteen people are missing following the explosion at an arms and ammunition warehouse in Holguín. Among them are two military personnel with the rank of major, two second sergeants, and nine soldiers, who were young recruits completing their Military Service.
What measures did the Cuban government take after the explosion in Holguín?
The Cuban government urged the relatives of the missing to keep "hope alive" and expressed its solidarity with the affected community. More than 1,200 people were evacuated from the areas near the site of the explosion as a precautionary measure, while the causes of the fire are being investigated.
How has the population reacted to the explosion in Holguín?
The population has expressed outrage and concern over the lack of clear information and the government's silence regarding the situation of the missing persons. Many citizens have criticized the compulsory Military Service in Cuba and have voiced their dissatisfaction on social media, demanding answers and concrete actions from the authorities.
What is the relation of this incident to Military Service in Cuba?
The incident has intensified the debate over mandatory military service in Cuba, as the nine missing soldiers were young recruits fulfilling this service. The requirement for military service has historically been criticized by many Cubans, and this tragic event has reignited discussions about its necessity and the conditions under which young people are compelled to serve.
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