A new video shared on Facebook by the user Saúl Manuel captures the exact moment when a train collides with a rental car for tourism in the municipality of San Cristóbal, province of Artemisa.
The images, recorded from the entrance of a nearby house at the railway crossing, reveal how the gray car crosses the tracks without stopping, just seconds before being struck by the locomotive. The powerful impact pushed the vehicle several meters away, leaving it wrecked next to a fence.
The accident occurred this Monday and, according to witnesses, the occupants of the car sustained only minor injuries, a outcome that many are calling miraculous given the severity of the impact. In new images released following the collision, the car is seen with its front completely wrecked, surrounded by neighbors and emergency teams.
The case has sparked intense debate on social media. Many users are blaming the driver for not adhering to safety regulations at level crossings. “You have to be very irresponsible, especially during the day, to commit such a reckless act,” commented a netizen regarding the imprudence.
Others also point out the deficiencies in the signaling at railway crossings in Cuba, a problem that has been at the center of numerous similar accidents. "It's not enough to blame the driver; it's essential to improve road safety in these areas," wrote another commentator.
The Facebook group 'Accidentes Buses & Camiones' also reported on the incident, highlighting the urgency of raising awareness about the dangers of encroaching on railway lines.
Although this time there were no fatalities, the accident reignites the debate on safety at the island's railway crossings, where the combination of recklessness and lack of signage continues to claim lives each year.
Train and vehicle collisions in Cuba
Accidents at railway crossings have been a constant issue in Cuba in recent years, with several reported across different provinces, raising alarm over the lack of signage and driver recklessness.
In July 2023, a tragic collision in Boyeros, Havana,
A month later, in February 2024, another accident brought the issue back to the forefront. On the Vento line, in Havana, a train collided with a passenger vehicle that also failed to obey the stop sign. Although there were no fatalities in this case, the vehicle was seriously damaged, and criticism regarding road safety at these points intensified.
The problem was not limited to the capital. In July 2024, in the city of Santa Clara, a train collided with a Hyundai car at a railway crossing. The collision caused significant material damage to the vehicle, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
These incidents, reported in various provinces, reveal a recurring pattern: drivers who disregard signals when crossing the railway and crossings with inadequate signage that endanger the lives of travelers. Each new accident rekindles public demand to improve safety at level crossings, a long-standing issue in the Cuban railway network.
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