Five injured after train derailment in Matanzas are out of danger

A total of five people were injured, three of whom were hospitalized, following the derailment of the Guantánamo–Havana train that occurred this Wednesday on the outskirts of the city of Matanzas, and none are in life-threatening condition as confirmed by health authorities.

The information was confirmed by the official newspaper Girón, which followed up on the accident that occurred this Tuesday around 2:30 p.m., near the Bellamar Caves road, in a section where approximately 200 meters of railway were affected.

The provincial hospital Faustino Pérez admitted three patients with minor injuries, who remain under medical observation.

According to Gretel Robaina Rodríguez, Deputy Director of Medical Assistance, the injured are progressing positively. Two other wounded individuals received care at the scene of the accident and did not require transportation.

According to Dr. Laudelino Fernández Medina, head of the Emergency Department at the hospital, none of the five affected individuals are in life-threatening condition.

Among the injured are two flight attendants, one of whom has experienced blood pressure instability, and a passenger with minor bruises.

The healthcare system in Matanzas activated an emergency team made up of about twenty professionals, including doctors and nurses, to respond to the incident.

In a later update, the official newspaper Girón specified the identities of the injured individuals treated at Faustino Pérez Hospital: Lusmery Yedra Flores, a train attendant from Havana, was struck by a group of passengers who fell onto her during the derailment; Noelis Walwyn, also a train attendant, suffered a minor injury and experienced a spike in blood pressure; and Amnelis Rodríguez González, a passenger traveling from Camagüey to Matanzas, fell during the accident and hit her head and elbow.

Everyone remains under medical observation to rule out serious injuries, the cited source indicated, adding that a fourth person was referred to the medical center

In this case, it concerns Dairys Espinosa Samora, a passenger from Havana, who began to feel unwell after getting off the train, although she shows no visible injuries or life-threatening risk, emphasized Girón.

The remaining 820 passengers of the Guantánamo-Havana train were transported by bus to the Train Terminal, where coordination was made with the Commerce and Gastronomy sector to provide them with snacks and other basic supplies.

Ana Moreno, the conductor of car number seven, reported that the last four carriages, including hers, detached from the rest of the train.

"It was all a scare. We heard a grinding sound and felt sudden jolts. Fortunately, we were close to the stop in Matanzas," he commented, highlighting the discipline of the passengers.

According to Rafael Roldán Simón, a crew member with over three decades of experience, the engineer detected a problem on the tracks and activated the emergency brake as per protocol, which helped prevent more serious consequences.

Although there were no spills, seven train cars derailed, blocking the Central line, and railway authorities estimate that its restoration could take at least 24 hours due to the severe damage suffered by the infrastructure.

Forces from the Ministry of the Interior are investigating the causes of the accident, while Ferrocarriles de Cuba assesses the damage and determines the actions needed to repair the affected section.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Train Derailment in Matanzas