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A tragic event has shaken the province of Villa Clara this Sunday, where three children, aged between 13 and 14 years, lost their lives due to an electric shock during a storm in the municipality of Manicaragua.
In the unfortunate incident that occurred in the afternoon, a 14-year-old girl was injured and is currently hospitalized, according to journalist from the official Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN).
The fatalities were identified as Jorge Alejandro de la Coba Monteagudo, 14 years old, a resident of the United States who was vacationing there; Andy Alberto Turiño González, 13; and Analía García Rodríguez, 14.
The impact of the lightning also injured Diamelis Delgado Granados, 14 years old, who was taken by the Integrated Medical Emergencies Service (SIUM) to the Provincial Hospital of Santa Clara, where she is receiving specialized medical care.
According to the information, the provincial authorities "have immediately followed up on this situation, providing support to those affected and their families." Pérez expressed his condolences to the relatives and other loved ones of the deceased children.
So far, no details have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding this terrible incident, which cut short the lives of three children at such a young age, causing irreparable pain to their families and deep shock throughout the community.
In early June, at a similar event in the province of Artemisa, two teenagers aged 13 and 16 died while playing outdoor football in the Pita neighborhood of the Urbano 2 popular council in the municipality of Bauta. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on June 7, when an electrical discharge prior to the rain tragically struck the two boys, who died at the scene.
But the tragedy of that day in Bauta was even greater, as, in another dramatic incident, a three-year-old girl also lost her life due to drowning in a house located in Playa Baracoa.
Lightning strikes are the leading cause of death from natural phenomena in Cuba, revealed a 2022 study by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) and the Institute of Meteorology (Insmet).
According to the research, between 1987 and 2017, lightning caused an average of 54 deaths annually, totaling 1,742 fatalities in three decades.
The provinces that recorded the most phenomena of this nature were Granma, Holguín, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba, with the highest peaks of mortality in July, August, and June, months of high electrical activity.
Experts argue that lightning causes more deaths in the country than hurricanes. In an article published in the newspaper Invasor, from Ciego de Ávila, meteorologist Frank Fernández Castañeda also warned about behaviors that increase the risk of being struck by lightning, such as engaging in sports or staying in open spaces during storms.
In July, a group of young people in Ciego de Ávila were almost struck by lightning while playing soccer outdoors during an electric storm.
The young Carlos Limendú Torres, a 24-year-old sports coach, did not have the same fortune. Although he survived an electric shock two years ago while waiting for transportation in Remedios, Villa Clara, the incident left him in critical condition and he faced serious consequences: paraplegia, severe burns, difficulties swallowing, hypersalivation, and the loss of his voice due to tracheal stenosis.
Frequently asked questions about the tragedy in Villa Clara due to lightning strike
What happened in Villa Clara that resulted in the death of three children?
Three children, aged between 13 and 14 years, died in the municipality of Manicaragua, Villa Clara, due to a lightning strike during a storm. The victims were Jorge Alejandro de la Coba Monteagudo, Andy Alberto Turiño González, and Analía García Rodríguez.
How common is the impact of lightning in Cuba and what are its consequences?
Lightning poses a significant threat in Cuba, causing more deaths each year than hurricanes. A study indicated an average of 54 deaths annually from lightning between 1987 and 2017, highlighting the seriousness of these natural phenomena in the country.
What measures are being taken to prevent lightning incidents in Cuba?
Although authorities have urged caution during thunderstorms, incidents involving lightning remain common in Cuba, highlighting the urgent need for more effective education on the risks and for the implementation of appropriate safety measures, especially in public spaces.
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