Related videos:
A collapse that occurred on Monday night in the municipality of Regla, Havana, left a nine-year-old girl trapped under the rubble and caused injuries to several people, including two elderly individuals with heart conditions.
The incident took place at 459 Agramonte Street, between Millar and Agustín García.
According to a report on Facebook by the user La Tijera, the girl sustained minor injuries to her head, one eye, and her leg.
Her mother sustained more serious injuries to her spine, shoulders, knees, and one foot.
Two elderly individuals with ischemic heart disease and one person with a severe myocardial infarction were also reported.
Another post on by the artist Saúl Manuel reports that, despite calling the firefighters, they never arrived at the scene.
Furthermore, they pointed out that the municipal government has not provided adequate solutions, and that the affected families have been offered as their only option rooms in terrible condition, without windows, electricity, and full of rubble and trash.
Another collapse occurred in Centro Habana in the last few hours, reported by La Tijera.
The partial collapse of a building declared uninhabitable and irreparable years ago, located at Mercado 79 between Santa Marta and Arroyo, left an elderly man and his 10-year-old son trapped after an entire wall fell onto their home.
Part of the structure is hanging and threatens to fall at any moment.
According to the neighbors, the Municipal Government and the Housing Office are merely stating that the residents must tear down the risky wall, claiming that they "do not have the means" to do so.
Those affected describe the response as irresponsible, as the task involves significant danger and should be handled by specialized personnel.
The old man and his son have spent more than 24 hours unable to leave or buy food, as the debris blocks the entrance.
In the building, families have been waiting for more than seven years to be relocated, with official promises remaining unfulfilled.
Neighbors report that this collapse is a reflection of the prolonged neglect affecting many buildings in Havana, where thousands of people live under a constant risk of death due to structural failures.
The situation, they assert, highlights the lack of political will and resources to assist the most vulnerable.
The collapse occurs just a few days after another tragedy: the death of a five-month-old baby in the Cerro municipality.
The minor drowned when a wall collapsed during heavy rains, after water violently surged into the home.
The current swept him from his mother's arms and carried him away, despite rescue efforts that could not save his life.
Activists and residents claim that these incidents are a direct consequence of the structural deterioration of the buildings, the lack of maintenance, and the absence of preventive actions by the authorities.
They warn that each rainy season turns dozens of homes into deadly traps for their residents.
The scenes of suffering in Regla, El Cerro, and Centro Habana reignite the debate on state responsibility in protecting the population from avoidable risks.
While families plead for urgent solutions, neglect and indifference continue to take their toll amid an unrelenting housing crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Landslides in Havana
What happened in the collapse in the municipality of Regla?
The collapse in Regla left a girl injured and caused injuries to several people, including two elderly individuals with heart problems. The incident occurred at 459 Agramonte Street, and it was reported that the firefighters never arrived at the scene despite being called. The affected families are complaining about the lack of adequate solutions from the municipal government.
Why are landslides common in Havana?
Collapses in Havana are common due to the structural deterioration of buildings, the lack of maintenance, and the absence of preventive actions by the authorities. Investment has been prioritized in hotels and tourism projects, leaving the needs of local housing unattended, which has exacerbated the housing crisis.
What solutions does the Cuban government offer in response to collapses?
The Cuban government has offered insufficient solutions and empty promises to families affected by the collapses. In many cases, the alternatives provided are rooms in poor conditions, without windows, electricity, or proper maintenance. Authorities often evade taking direct responsibility, leaving residents in high-risk situations.
How does the lack of maintenance impact infrastructure in Cuba?
The lack of maintenance has led to the critical deterioration of many infrastructures in Cuba, increasing the risk of collapses and breakdowns in old buildings. This situation endangers the lives of residents and reflects the government's ineffectiveness in resource management and citizen protection.
Filed under: