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At dawn on Wednesday, a truck from the Electric Company overturned while trying to cross the bridge on 27th Street in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood of Holguín, right in front of the remains of the old sarcophagus factory.
The structure, visibly deteriorating for months, partially collapsed under the weight of the vehicle, causing the accident. According to eyewitnesses, the occupants managed to get out in time, and no injuries were reported.
According to initial reports, the truck lost control after falling into a deep sinkhole at the entrance of the bridge, the surface of which had been raised by recent rains and the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The driver was allegedly traveling at low speed due to the weather conditions, but the entrance of the passage collapsed under the weight of the vehicle and its cargo, which was reportedly transformers.
"The man was driving slowly through the rain at that moment and the entrance to the bridge was damaged. It gave way under the weight," reported Arturo Manuel Batista, who witnessed the incident.
Images of the incident quickly spread on social media, generating a wave of reactions.
The accident, although it did not result in any fatalities, has been interpreted by the community as a clear warning of what could happen if urgent action is not taken.
“That bridge was destroyed by the cyclone. It was only a matter of time,” commented a local resident.
Previous complaints and official inaction
Residents of the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood had repeatedly warned about the risk posed by the bridge.
After the passage of Hurricane Melissa and the flooding from the cold front, the structure showed visible signs of collapse: destroyed railings, unstable pavement, and a progressively eroded foundation.
The content creator known as Maikel CG published a message addressed to the Provincial Road Authority, the Municipal Defense Council, and other authorities, alerting them about the "imminent danger and need for an immediate solution" in the area:
“The destruction of the passageway and the current state of the ruins endanger the lives of pedestrians and drivers. The accident that has already occurred with the vehicle is clear evidence that the loss of human life is a real and unavoidable threat if action is not taken now”, he wrote on Facebook.
The communication urges the establishment of a visible safety perimeter both day and night, and to close traffic on that stretch until repairs are made.
He also suggested diverting traffic through Real Street.
Citizen outrage
Social media reflected the impact of the event, with hundreds of comments highlighting institutional negligence and a lack of foresight.
Some neighbors claimed that "that bridge has been in ruins for years," and that they have only "patched it up superficially."
Others questioned why the traffic had not been redirected or marked.
"Everyone who lives here in Holguín knows you can’t go that way. That truck doesn’t belong here," said one user. Another replied, "And where was the warning sign?"
Most of the comments agreed on one key idea: it was an avoidable accident.
"They should have closed that street already. This could have been avoided," wrote an internet user.
"They always wait for a disaster to happen before taking action," added another.
Several internet users pointed out that the driver might have been exhausted from the long workday, assisting with the recovery efforts following the hurricane.
"It is not the time to criticize the driver, but to see the condition of the injured person and the bridge," commented Milanis Delgado.
A structural problem
What happened in Holguín is not an isolated incident. More than 70% of the roads in Cuba are in poor or terrible condition, according to transportation specialists.
The lack of maintenance, accumulated deterioration, and scarcity of construction materials have halted rehabilitation projects in numerous provinces.
Hurricane Melissa not only left destroyed homes but also ravaged bridges, missing sections of road, and isolated communities. Cuban road infrastructure is facing a deep crisis, evident at every turn.
Citizens, for their part, insist that authorities must act before there are any fatalities. As emphasized in the statement sent to Vialidad:
"Establish a strict security perimeter and visible signage (day and night) to prevent vehicle and pedestrian access to the collapsed area until this bridge is repaired. Preserve human lives."
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