Bus carrying prisoners catches fire in Santiago de Cuba

A bus transporting female inmates in the city of Santiago de Cuba caught fire on the morning of this Wednesday.

The incident occurred on the central Trocha street, right in front of the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César Children's Hospital, popularly known as "La Colonia Española," as reported on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta.

The incident immediately mobilized the neighbors in the area, who, armed with buckets of water, tried to extinguish the flames before the firefighters arrived.

While some were assisting in the emergency, others watched in astonishment at the scene, as seen in a video shared by the aforementioned source.

When the authorities arrived at the site, the fire had already been controlled thanks to the swift action of the neighbors.

So far, it is unknown whether the inmates were evacuated from the vehicle in time or if they sustained any injuries, although some witnesses claim that the inmates are fine.

It appears that at the time the fire was declared, the group of women had just exited the hospital facility, where they are often taken to work as cleaning assistants, as specified by the aforementioned source.

As of the closing of this report, the causes of the fire have not been disclosed, and the authorities have not commented on it at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bus Fire that Carried Inmates in Santiago de Cuba