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A serious accident occurred in Guanabacoa last Saturday, when a 54-year-old man fell into a hole approximately three meters deep, dug and abandoned without signage by the state company Aguas de La Habana, near the well-known Rotonda de la Shell.
The victim, identified as Colliro Ichi Jiménez, was walking through the area around 10:00 PM, in the dark, when the edge of the hole gave way and he fell into it. Neighbors alerted the firefighters from the Comando de Regla, who responded to the rescue and managed to pull him out alive.
The images shared on the profile of Facebook 'La Tijera' show the crater without any type of protective barrier, which has generated outrage among residents, who describe the situation as an example of institutional negligence.
The lack of foresight was compounded by the delay in the emergency system. Although it was requested, the ambulance never arrived at the scene, forcing a paramedic from the fire department to establish an intravenous line and administer fluids to stabilize the injured person.
Later, at the nearest polyclinic, they initially refused to treat him, claiming that he had not been transported by ambulance. Finally, after being admitted and undergoing examinations, he was diagnosed with a hip dislocation and a fracture in the head.
A relative of the victim refuted claims that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. “He is my uncle and he wasn’t drunk; the edge broke apart and he slipped in that very dark area,” assured Yu Ling Sing in the comments to the post.
The incident has sparked strong criticism of Aguas de La Habana and the healthcare system, due to the lack of protection for citizens and the indifference shown towards an accident that could have cost the life of a resident of Guanabacoa.
A history of negligence by Aguas de La Habana
This is not an isolated incident. In recent years, the company Aguas de La Habana has been pointed out multiple times for opening trenches and holes in public roads without placing signs or protective measures, which has caused numerous accidents.
In May 2023, an elderly man with visual impairment fell into a hole opened by the entity in Old Havana, sparking significant outrage among residents.
Months later, in October, a truck plunged into another hole under similar conditions, while in August 2024, some construction work by the company caused a major accident in the capital.
Previous cases also reflect the same negligence: in May 2022, a truck became trapped in a trench left open by the company, and in October of that same year, a car fell into a large sinkhole left unprotected in the middle of the street.
These episodes, documented by CiberCuba, reveal a pattern of institutional irresponsibility that endangers drivers and pedestrians. Far from being exceptions, accidents related to the unfinished works of Aguas de La Habana appear to have become a constant that impacts public safety in several municipalities of the capital.
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