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The Minister of Transportation of Cuba, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, has issued statements following the recent , an incident that has caused significant railway chaos in the region.
The accident occurred at kilometer 80.500 of the Central Line, near the Mocha station, in the province of Matanzas.
The Tren Extra 924, responsible for transporting alcohol from the “Meláneo Hernández” distillery in Sancti Spíritus to the rum factory in Santa Cruz del Norte in Mayabeque, experienced a derailment of five of its tanker cars.
One of them overturned and caught fire, while two others were left partially overturned and two remained on the track, affecting approximately 100 meters of the railway line.
In a Facebook post, Rodríguez Dávila stated that the accident represents "something more than a railway accident."
He explained that while he was supervising the work in the Havana Bay tunnel, he was informed of the incident and decided to go to the site immediately to personally assess the extent of the damages.
The Minister stated that emergency measures were activated to assist the affected passengers, including train No. 15 on the Havana - Holguín route, which was rescheduled, and the Guantánamo - Havana train, which was temporarily halted.
Rodríguez Dávila stated that an investigation has already been initiated to determine the causes of the accident and emphasized that, fortunately, there were no human casualties to mourn.
Facebook/Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila
Cuba has recorded several railway accidents in recent months. In April 2025, a national train covering the Holguín-Havana route derailed in Las Tunas, without causing any injuries.
Months earlier, in December 2024, two freight trains collided in Sancti Spíritus, causing an oil spill. Preliminary investigations indicated that a violation of the railway operation regulations was the cause of the accident.
Also in September 2024, a passenger train derailed in Matanzas and in August of the same year, the Manzanillo-Havana train experienced a derailment in Las Tunas.
According to official data,
Frequently asked questions about the train accident in Matanzas and the transportation situation in Cuba
What happened in the train accident in Matanzas?
The accident in Matanzas involved the derailment of Train Extra 924, which was transporting rum from Sancti Spíritus to Mayabeque. Five tank cars derailed, one overturned and caught fire, while the others ended up in various positions, affecting approximately 100 meters of the track. Fortunately, there were no human casualties to regret.
What measures were taken after the accident in Matanzas?
Emergency measures have been activated to assist the affected passengers, especially on the Havana - Holguín train, whose departure has been rescheduled, and the Guantánamo - Havana train, which has been temporarily halted. Additionally, an investigation has been initiated to determine the causes of the accident.
How does the train accident affect the transportation situation in Cuba?
The accident reflects the deterioration of the railway infrastructure in Cuba, a recurring problem that affects both the mobility of people and the transportation of goods. Such incidents further complicate the national economy and generate criticism towards the government for the lack of maintenance and safety in the railway system.
What have been the causes of the recent train accidents in Cuba?
The causes of railway accidents in Cuba include violations of railway operations regulations, deterioration of infrastructure, and human errors. In past incidents, collisions and derailments have been reported due to these reasons, resulting in a negative impact both economically and environmentally.
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