A train coming from Holguín and headed to Havana, suffered a partial derailment this Saturday around 2:05 PM, as it entered the yards of the central station of the capital.
According to reported by the Facebook page of Rutas Nacionales, there were no injuries among the 984 passengers on board train No. 16.
The incident occurred on locomotive no. 52557, which partially derailed while passing through an area without a platform, near the elevated bridge of the station.
The derailment affected four wheels and prompted the immediate mobilization of the railway authorities, who activated safety protocols.
The crew and the driver acted in accordance with the established rules, allowing passengers to disembark from the train without any issues.
As a preventive measure, initially they were kept inside the carriages until safe conditions were ensured. Support teams arrived at the site to assist both the passengers and the crew.
With the assistance of auxiliary locomotives, the derailed unit was rerouted and moved for inspection in a process that lasted just over an hour. Subsequently, the Central Station resumed its operations normally.
An investigative committee, composed of specialists from the Railway Transport Administration (ATF) and provincial authorities, will analyze the technical causes of the failure.
Railway accidents in Cuba remain frequent, largely attributable to the deterioration of infrastructure, lack of signage, human errors, and insufficient maintenance, as well as external factors such as vandalism.
The situation once again highlights the urgent need to modernize the national railway system.
A week ago, a train derailed in Matanzas due to a defect in the railway, triggering a state of emergency.
The incident affected seven cars and damaged approximately 250 meters of railway track. These conditions reflect the deterioration of the railway infrastructure in Cuba.
Six people were injured in the train derailment in Matanzas. Four of them were transferred to the Comandante Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital, including two railway workers and a passenger with minor injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Train Derailments in Cuba
What happened with the train that derailed in Havana?
The train coming from Holguín headed to Havana experienced a partial derailment upon entering the yards of the central station in the capital. There were no injuries among the 984 passengers, and the incident affected four wheels of the locomotive. Railway authorities activated safety protocols, and the train was rerouted in just over an hour.
What are the causes of the frequent train derailments in Cuba?
Railway accidents in Cuba are frequent due to the deterioration of infrastructure, lack of signage, human errors, and insufficient maintenance. External factors such as vandalism also contribute, highlighting the urgent need to modernize the national railway system.
What measures are taken after a derailment in Cuba?
After a derailment, emergency protocols are activated and rescue teams and railway technicians are deployed to reroute the cars and restore service. Additionally, authorities organize the transfer of passengers using other means of transportation, and an investigation is launched to determine the causes of the accident.
What actions are the authorities taking to improve the Cuban railway system?
Although reductions in the number of accidents have been recorded, the Cuban railway system continues to face significant challenges, such as the modernization of outdated infrastructure and the improvement of maintenance. Authorities have launched innovative projects, such as the introduction of Wi-Fi on trains, but these actions do not address the most urgent structural issues.
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