A five-month-old baby died this Monday in Havana during the heavy rains that hit the capital.
The child drowned after water violently flooded into his home when a wall collapsed, according to several sources on social media.
The tragic event occurred in the Cerro municipality, one of the areas most affected by the severe storm.
According to the portal Reporte Cuba Ya, the wall "burst and water rushed into the house, causing the child to drown."
At that moment, the mother was tidying up the house after the storm, unaware that tragedy would strike within seconds.
The current, coming from the street and transformed into an improvised river, burst forth with such force that it snatched the child from his hands.
The independent media 14ymedio confirmed the news after contacting the funeral home La Nacional by phone, where the body was laid in repose. An employee specified that the funeral procession left the venue at 8:20 this morning.
On social media, one of the firefighters involved recounted that the child was found still showing vital signs, although he was unable to survive.
"Fly high little one, we brought you out alive but you weren't able to survive, you don't know how we feel as the firefighters who brought you out," wrote rescuer Enmanuel Díaz Rodríguez on social media.
Yuriel Fernández has shared on Facebook two striking images that showcase the extent of the flooding.
The testimony of a neighbor
In the comments section of the Facebook page Patria y Vida, the user Zulema Fuentes, who identified herself as a neighbor, shared a harrowing account.
According to the woman, who claimed to live across from the place where the tragedy occurred, the mother was "tidying up the house because everything was getting wet," while holding the baby in her arms.
The collapse was sudden, and the water rushed in with such force that "it snatched the child from her hands." The current swept away both the child and the mother, who took a moment to get back up.
What followed was chaos and despair: neighbors, family, and friends began to search for him "out of control" until a neighbor found him trapped behind the door.
"First aid was administered immediately, and the child opened his eyes," Fuentes recounted, adding a particularly tragic detail that the infant was celebrating his five-month birthday that very Monday.
Activist Lara Crofs expressed regret over the incident and questioned the state's responsibility for these deaths.
“The heavy rains that batter our city should not be a death sentence. However, the structural deterioration of houses, lack of maintenance, and systematic neglect turn a storm into an avoidable tragedy,” he wrote.
He added that "the pain of this loss" should be an urgent call to those who have the duty to protect the lives of the people.
"Until when will we have to keep counting deaths due to negligence? Who pays for this death? We cannot continue to allow indifference and neglect to take innocent lives in our Cuba!", he questioned.
The images captured at dawn on Tuesday showed streets filled with destroyed furniture, collapsed walls, and debris carried away by the current.
Poor drainage and the accumulation of garbage prevent water from being evacuated quickly, and within minutes, some streets in Havana become dangerous currents.
As of the closing of this note, the tragic event has not been confirmed by official sources.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flooding and Its Tragic Consequences in Havana
What happened during the flood in Havana that resulted in the death of a baby?
A five-month-old baby died from drowning in Havana after heavy rains caused the collapse of a wall in their home, allowing water to flood into the house. The baby's mother was cleaning up after the storm when the current swept him from her arms.
What structural problems contribute to tragedies during rains in Havana?
The structural deterioration of homes and the lack of maintenance of the drainage system exacerbate flooding in Havana. These deficiencies allow intense rainfall to cause significant damage and avoidable tragedies, such as the collapse of walls and the accumulation of water on the streets.
How have the authorities responded to the flooding in Havana?
Despite the severity of the floods, authorities have not officially confirmed some of the tragic events. The lack of official communication and the poor management of infrastructure have been criticized by citizens and activists, who demand state accountability in the protection of human lives.
Filed under: