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An electrical pole collapsed in the late afternoon to evening on Monday, October 20, at the intersection of Carnicería Street, between Callejón del Carmen and Enramadas, one of the busiest areas in downtown Santiago de Cuba.
The accident caused the fall of electrical and telecommunications cables, leaving several homes without power and without ETECSA service, according to a report by the communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Facebook.
Local residents reported that the prefabricated reinforced concrete pole had shown obvious deterioration for months, with the relevant authorities taking no preventive measures despite repeated warnings.
"That had been tilted for a while; it was bound to happen. We reported it several times, but no one came," recounted an indignant resident.
According to witnesses, the concrete of the post showed visible cracks at the base and signs of structural wear. As indicated on his social media by the MINSAP official Aris Arias Batalla, a local resident lamented: "An accident that could have been avoided if action had been taken promptly."
Although no injuries or fatalities were reported, the material damage was significant, affecting cables, transformers, and part of the street infrastructure.
The residents of the area criticized the institutional negligence and the lack of maintenance of the electrical system, which has not only caused prolonged blackouts in recent months but now also poses a physical danger to the population.
By Tuesday morning, the area remained unsecured by local authorities, and the fallen cables continued to obstruct the path of pedestrians and vehicles.
“Before it was just changing a pole, now we have to replace transformers, connectors, and more resources. All because things weren't done on time. And who pays for that now?” questioned Arias Batalla, reflecting the general feeling of frustration.
Residents are demanding an immediate response from the Electric Company and Etecsa to eliminate the risk and restore services. “It’s better to prevent than to regret,” those affected agreed, fearing that next time luck may not be on their side.
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