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A thick plume of black smoke billowing from a ship off the coast of Havana raised concerns among the residents of Havana who were at the Malecón and nearby areas, as it became visible from wide stretches of the coastline.
The images of the ship, posted by internet user Carlos Espinosa in the group "Wonderful Malecón," show the vessel surrounded by a dark column that contrasted with the horizon.
The photos quickly circulated on social media and raised fears of a possible fire on board.
Hours later, an update published by the same source that released the first photo clarified that, according to the opinion of several experts, the unusual situation on the ship was not due to a fire, but to a combustion issue, which was responsible for the “thick black smoke” visible from the entire Havana coastline.
The explanation brought some relief to those who had followed the incident with concern.
According to that information, the vessel later moved away from the area and the situation was considered "under control," apparently, ruling out any imminent risk to the crew.
The official page Habana Noticias clarified that the smoke could also be due to dirty fuselage and propellers, overloading, excessive engine revolutions, or dirty air filters or injectors.
The message from internet user Espinosa explicitly thanked "everyone who cared about human life on board," emphasizing that this was "the most important thing, really," referring to the numerous reactions from users who expressed alarm and inquired if there were any injuries or people in danger.
Although no details were provided about the type of vessel or its route, the incident highlighted the sensitivity of the people of Havana to any maritime event visible from the Malecón, a crucial and very busy area of the city.
The clarification that it was a combustion failure and not a fire on board helped to ease tensions, but the unusual sight of thick smoke over the sea left a strong impression on those who witnessed it from the shore.
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