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Las autoridades cubanas anunciaron que se restableció parcialmente el servicio del tren universitario que cubre la ruta Santa Clara–Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas (UCLV), tras el derailment of one of its cars on Thursday afternoon.
El ministro de Transporte, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, confirmó en Facebook que gracias a la labor conjunta de la Empresa Ferrocarriles de Centro, la brigada del tren de Auxilio Mayor y trabajadores de la Empresa Constructora de Vías Férreas (SOLCAR), el tren accidentado fue encarrilado y se reintegró a su ruta habitual.
Nevertheless, work is still ongoing to repair the brake system of the damaged car.
"It is expected that this carriage will be ready to rejoin its train starting next Monday, during its first scheduled outing," he specified.
No injuries reported, but there is an impact on student transportation
The derailment did not result in any injuries, according to the provincial broadcaster CMHW, which initially reported the temporary interruption of service from the scene.
The affected train was transporting students and staff to UCLV, and although no serious structural damage was reported, the incident caused disruptions in transportation schedules just at the end of the academic week.
To mitigate the impact, the authorities strengthened transportation to the university with additional buses.
Regarding the causes of the incident, Luis García Pérez, director of the Central Railways Company, stated that it was a minor breakdown.
In this regard, Rodríguez Dávila noted that a "detailed" investigation is underway and promised that "corrective" measures will be taken, along with additional steps that will need to be adopted in anticipation of the summer, when an increase in traffic is expected.
Although the minister insisted on talking about a supposed "security" of the railway system, incidents like this are quite common.
Second railway derailment in less than two weeks
This incident adds to another that occurred on May 27, when Extra Train #16, which was covering the Holguín-Havana route, derailed in Camagüey, leaving 18 people injured, one of whom had a fractured kneecap.
Although most of the injured were discharged quickly, the incident highlighted the weaknesses in Cuba's railway infrastructure.
Railway authorities reiterate their tired rhetoric about commitment to operational safety; however, recent events reflect the fragility of an aging and overloaded railway system, as the country's energy and transportation crisis continues to impact thousands of Cubans daily.
Frequently asked questions about the derailment of the university train in Villa Clara
How has the university train service been restored in Villa Clara?
The university train service in Villa Clara has been partially restored tras el descarrilamiento de uno de sus vagones. Las autoridades han trabajado para encarrilar el tren y se espera que el sistema de frenos del coche afectado sea reparado completamente para el lunes siguiente al incidente.
Were there any injuries in the train derailment in Santa Clara?
According to the authorities, there were no injuries during the derailment of the university train in Santa Clara, although the incident impacted student transportation due to the temporary disruption of service.
What measures have been taken to mitigate the impact of the derailment on student transportation?
To mitigate the impact of the derailment on student transportation, the authorities have reinforced the route to the "Marta Abreu" Central University of Las Villas with additional buses, ensuring the transport of students and university staff.
What are the causes of the train derailment in Villa Clara?
Luis García Pérez, director de la Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Centro, declaró que se trató de una avería menor. The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, stated that a detailed investigation is underway para determinar las causas exactas y se tomarán medidas correctivas.
How does this derailment affect the perception of railway safety in Cuba?
A pesar de los discursos sobre el compromiso con la seguridad operativa, This incident reflects the fragility of the Cuban railway system, que se caracteriza por una infraestructura envejecida y sobrecargada. Los eventos recientes, como este descarrilamiento, evidencian las debilidades y la necesidad de mejoras en el sistema ferroviario del país.
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