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The Cuban regime confirmed this Friday the discovery of the lifeless body of Carlos Javier Sánchez, a 16-year-old minor who was swept away by the waves while allegedly swimming near Punta, on the Havana seawall.
The news was shared by the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of Centro Habana, which expressed its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the minor.
"As a result of the ongoing efforts of the Rescue and Salvage forces, the Ministry of the Interior and the Integrated Emergency Medical System report that the lifeless body of the minor, who was swept away by the waves while bathing yesterday near La Punta on the Havana seawall, was found in the afternoon," states the official notice.
According to the information, the incident occurred the day before, when the young man was in the waters of the malecón, and due to the strength of the waves, he was swept away by the sea.
Despite immediate rescue efforts, the rescue teams were unable to find him at first.
The search was suspended on Thursday night and resumed on Friday morning with the collaboration of the Rescue and Salvage forces, the Ministry of the Interior, border guard troops, specialized rescue teams, and the Integrated Medical Emergency System.
The operation, which focused on the northern coastline, ultimately concluded with the discovery of the child's lifeless body on Friday afternoon.
In response to the official version, an internet user pointed out that the child was not swimming in the sea, but rather sitting on the wall of the seawall, and when he tried to retrieve a flip-flop that had fallen towards the reef, he was swept away by the strong waves.
The Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of Centro Habana reminded that the area where the incident occurred has restrictions on bathing, particularly during adverse weather conditions, such as those on Thursday, when the waves reached the seawall.
The authorities insisted that such practices pose a serious risk to security.
A note from the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power of Centro Habana reported on Thursday that "from the moment the alert was received, rescue and recovery technicians entered the water to conduct a thorough search from the surface of the sea and inward, but nothing was found."
The underwater search was decided to be expanded, with the support of Coast Guard troops, but there were no results either.
"In the current conditions of the sea, the operation could not continue today," specified the official authority, who added that search efforts for the missing child would resume on Friday morning.
Frequently asked questions about the tragic incident on the Malecón in Havana
How did the disappearance of the minor occur at the Malecón in Havana?
The minor, Carlos Javier Sánchez, was swept away by the waves while he was near La Punta, on the Havana Malecón. According to official reports, he was swimming when the incident occurred, although witnesses claim that he was sitting on the wall and was pulled in while trying to retrieve a flip-flop. This area is known to be dangerous for swimming, especially under adverse weather conditions.
What measures did the Cuban authorities take to find the missing minor?
The authorities deployed Rescue and Salvage teams, the Ministry of the Interior, and Border Guard troops. The search was intense, involving a large operation both on the surface of the sea and underwater, although the harsh sea conditions complicated the initial efforts.
Why is it dangerous to swim at the Malecón in Havana?
The Malecón in Havana is dangerous for swimming due to its strong waves, especially under adverse weather conditions. Authorities have repeatedly warned about the risks posed by the sea in this area, where waves can easily surpass the wall and sweep people away.
What has been the reaction of the community and social media to this incident?
The news has sparked shock and debate on social media, questioning the official version provided by the authorities. Some internet users suggest that the young man was not swimming but was accidentally swept away while trying to retrieve a flip-flop. The community has been critical of the Cuban regime's handling of the case.
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