The railway operations on the central line were restored this Sunday following the repair of the section that was affected by the derailment and fire of a train loaded with alcohol near Matanzas.
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation, specified on his social media that in the early hours of this Sunday, the passage was restored on a preliminary basis.
The tracks were repaired at kilometer 80.500, following the accident that occurred this Friday when the train transporting alcohol from Sancti Spíritus to Mayabeque had an accident.
Nonetheless, the official argued that investigations into the causes of the accident are ongoing, and assured that they would report on them "later."
"We thank the authorities of the province of Matanzas, the Ministry of Interior, the Fire Department, Tecnoazúcar, Cubaron, Cupet, and other organizations, institutions, and companies, as well as all the transporters, who on such a significant date for the Cuban family, mobilized to restore the damages and mitigate the consequences for the passengers," he said.
The train carrying alcohol tanks derailed and caused a fire at kilometer 80 of the Central Railway line, in the municipality of Matanzas.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of the Benavides community, near the village of Paso del Medio, when one of the tank cars overturned and three others derailed, causing a fire.
The rest of the convoy, which was traveling from the central area of the country to Santa Cruz del Norte, was isolated to prevent the spread of the flames.
According to local authorities, there were no reported loss of human lives or injuries.
Fire departments 1 and 2 of the city of Matanzas managed to extinguish the fire, preventing the flames from spreading to other parts of the convoy or to nearby populated areas.
Cuba has reported several railway accidents in recent months. In April 2025, a national train operating the Holguín-Havana route derailed in Las Tunas, with no injuries reported.
Months earlier, in December 2024, two freight trains collided in Sancti Spíritus, causing an oil spill. Preliminary investigations indicated a violation of railway operational regulations as the cause of the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about the train derailment in Matanzas and the state of rail transport in Cuba
What happened in the train derailment in Matanzas?
The derailment occurred at kilometer 80 of the Central Line of the railway in Matanzas, when a train loaded with alcohol overturned, causing a fire. No human losses or injuries were reported, and the fire was controlled by local firefighters.
What measures were taken following the train accident in Matanzas?
Rail traffic has been preliminarily restored following the repair of the section affected by the derailment. Local and national authorities, along with various institutions, collaborated to mitigate the consequences of the incident and investigations continue to determine its causes.
What is the current situation of rail transportation in Cuba?
The rail transportation in Cuba faces recurring issues due to the deterioration of infrastructure and the lack of safety at railway crossings. Despite a 14% reduction in accidents in 2024, derailments and collisions remain a problem, leading to criticisms from the public and demands for improvements in maintenance and safety.
What actions are being taken to improve railway safety in Cuba?
Inspection and training measures for railway personnel are being implemented to enhance safety. Additionally, rehabilitation work on tracks and maintenance of infrastructure is being carried out, although significant challenges persist due to lack of resources and the obsolescence of the railway system.
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