Sanctuary of the Copper, home to all Cubans, in ruins after the passage of Hurricane Melissa

Of all the places that have been devastated by Hurricane Melissa as it moved through eastern Cuba, there is one that particularly pains Cubans both on the island and abroad due to its symbolic value: the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Copper.

This temple, regarded as the spiritual home of all Cubans, sustained severe damage following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which fiercely struck the province of Santiago de Cuba.

In a post on Facebook, the user Oscar Parada Pérez expressed sorrow over the state of the iconic temple, describing it with words that reflect the collective sentiment of thousands of believers.

"The house that we all visit, the house that is always open, the house of all Cubans, the house of the Mother... is in ruins."

Parada explained that, despite the damage, efforts are being organized from within the sanctuary to assess the losses and assist the families most affected by the hurricane.

"Those who wish for more information, please contact the parish priest, Rogelio Dean Puerta, or write to me and I will provide access," the user added in their message, accompanied by images of the visibly deteriorated sanctuary.

Parada's message does not explain the condition of the sacred image, a representation of the Virgin Mary, but the photo gallery does show the damage to the building and the temple's ornamentation.

The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, located in Santiago de Cuba, is a symbol of faith and hope for millions of Cubans both on and off the island.

In El Cobre, Hurricane Melissa triggered landslides that resulted in a critical situation. According to official reports and social media posts, 17 people —including children and elderly individuals— were trapped after the collapse of a hillside in the Loma del Cimarrón, an area affected by the sudden rise of the river that runs through the town.