Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba with strong winds and torrential rains, caused severe damage to the National Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, one of the country's most emblematic temples and a symbol of the Cuban people's faith.
Images shared on social media, particularly on TikTok by the user @rachelita0612, show the shocking condition of the temple after the impact of the weather phenomenon.
Outside, one of the marble angel statues was toppled and shattered, remaining in pieces in front of the main entrance of the sanctuary.
The walls of the building also show signs of wear, humidity, and stains caused by the rain, as well as broken windows and shattered stained glass.
The interior of the temple did not escape the devastation: several windows and historic stained glass collapsed, leaving shards of glass and wooden debris scattered on the floor.
In some areas, stained walls and damage to the internal structure of the church can be seen, which is a religious and cultural heritage of the Cuban people.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, located in Santiago de Cuba, is regarded as the country's main sanctuary and a pilgrimage destination for thousands of believers each year. Its deterioration has caused deep sorrow among the faithful, who are asking for help with its restoration on social media.
So far, the ecclesiastical authorities have not provided an official assessment of the extent of the damages or regarding the potential start of repair work.
Hurricane Melissa has caused damage in several provinces of eastern Cuba, leaving floods, power outages, and severe destruction to religious and heritage infrastructures in its wake, amid the already critical economic situation the island is experiencing.
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