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A tragic work accident that occurred on Monday afternoon in Santiago de Cuba claimed the life of José García Huerta, known to friends and neighbors as “Popó,” 39 years old and residing on 25th Street in the Nuevo Vista Alegre neighborhood.
According to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, witnesses and sources close to the incident told him that the accident took place after 1:00 p.m., while García Huerta was working on the installation of a roof in an old building located on Aguilera Street, in the city center.
During the work, while trying to lift a purlin (structural metal rod), it came into contact with high-tension wires, causing an electric shock that made it fall from a considerable height onto the public road, Mayeta exposed in a post on the social network Facebook.
The impact of the metal against the cables caused a short circuit that led to power outages in several areas of downtown. At the accident site, the steel bar remained hanging over the cables, along with the safety helmet worn by the worker, standing as silent witnesses to what had occurred.
García Huerta remained on the road for several minutes after the fall, in critical condition, until he was assisted by passersby and urgently taken by a driver who offered immediate help to a nearby hospital. However, upon arrival at the Joaquín Castillo Duany Military Hospital, his death was confirmed due to the injuries sustained.
In recent months, multiple fatal workplace accidents have been reported in the Cuban electrical sector, particularly among line workers.
In March 2024, Leonel Barroso Machín passed away, a young employee of the UEB in the municipality of Boyeros in Havana, 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 elicited 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 from electrocution while working on a high-voltage line. According to reports, the accident happened in a work environment lacking adequate safety conditions, a frequent situation in the country's electrical brigades.
On 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 took his life almost a month later. In a pre-death interview, 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 Workplace Accidents in Cuba
Who was the worker who died in the workplace accident in Santiago de Cuba?
The deceased worker was José García Huerta, known as "Popó," 39 years old, who died after being electrocuted while installing a roof in the center of Santiago de Cuba.
What caused the workplace accident of José García Huerta?
The accident occurred when García Huerta attempted to raise a purlin (structural metal bar) that came into contact with high-voltage wires, which resulted in an electrical discharge and his fall from a significant height.
What are the working conditions in the Cuban electrical sector?
The electric sector in Cuba frequently lacks adequate safety conditions, which has resulted in multiple fatal workplace accidents, particularly among line workers, as evidenced by several reported cases in the past year.
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