A worker falls onto power lines, causing a blackout in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba

A worker suffered a serious accident this Monday after falling from a building on Aguilera Street in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba and landing on high-voltage wires, which caused a power outage in several areas nearby.

According to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, as reported on his Facebook profile, the man slipped while working at height and fell directly onto the power lines, causing sparks and an immediate interruption of electricity service in the area.

Witnesses attempted to help him, but the first stopped vehicle refused to assist. Minutes later, after suffering visibly in public, another car agreed to take him to the Military Hospital, located near the scene of the incident.

"The news is neither good nor encouraging," sources from the hospital told Mayeta, noting the severity of the burns and the injuries from the fall.

"Here is a very nervous companion; it seems he died and is in the observation area," the same source told the journalist.

Additionally, Mayeta shared a video in reel format showing the worker lying on the street, while several people attempt to help him in the chaos following the accident.

Néstor Ruiz García, who identified himself as the nephew of the injured worker, wrote: “I, being his nephew, ran desperately and very nervously. Uncle, I am so sorry for your death, but I could do nothing more than rush you to the hospital.”

"Rest in peace," he added, "from your nephew and work colleague."

In the comments section, a user identified as Leimis Figieroa reported that the individual passed away: "He is my neighbor. Unfortunately, his death was instantaneous."

For her part, Yaritza Gorguet recounted: “I was in a private car with more people, and the driver, without stopping to ask questions, immediately offered assistance. A young man who said he was the nephew of the injured person and a stranger who happened to be passing by at that moment went with him. They took him to the Military Hospital, where he arrived alive.”

He added that he does not disagree with publishing content about what happened, but he requested sensitivity in addressing the issue. “Gentlemen, anyone can have an accident like this. It’s a human being, for God’s sake,” he emphasized.

In recent months, multiple fatal work accidents have been reported in the Cuban electrical sector, particularly among linemen.

In March 2024, Leonel Barroso Machín, a young employee of the UEB in the Boyeros municipality of Havana, passed away after falling from a pole while repairing damages caused by storms.

Despite undergoing surgery, his condition worsened and he died two days later. His case generated expressions of solidarity among workers in the sector, who remembered him as a dedicated colleague.

A similar case occurred in August of that same year, when another young lineman died while working on a high-voltage line. According to reports, the accident took place in a work environment lacking adequate safety conditions, a common situation in electrical brigades across the country.

For his part, the lineman Daniel Vega de la Cruz, from the Electric Company of Matanzas, died in March 2024 after falling from the top of a substation in San Juan.

He suffered severe fractures and underwent surgeries, but deep vein thrombosis ultimately took his life nearly a month later. In a previous interview before his passing, Vega expressed concern about the deterioration of the metal structures they work on and emphasized the importance of using protective equipment.

Frequently asked questions about the accident and blackout in Santiago de Cuba