A fatal traffic accident shook the Malecón in Havana on Monday, near the intersection with Belascoaín.
According to citizen reports circulated on social media, at least one person lost their life in a collision involving a silver car and an electric motorcycle.
"I just passed by the Malecón at the corner of Belascoaín and saw this accident involving a fatality. The silver car had a dent on the right side, and the motorcycle was flipped over on the sidewalk. I don't know what happened," wrote a witness in the Facebook group Accidentes Buses & Camiones, one of the places where such incidents are frequently reported due to the official silence.
A video posted on social media showed the car with a significant impact on the right side, while the motorcycle - described by several users as an “electric bike” - was overturned on the sidewalk, evidence of the force of the crash.
So far, the authorities have not provided any public information regarding the causes of the accident or the official identity of the victim, in a context characterized by a lack of institutional transparency in the face of such tragedies.
"EPD, my friend."
Amidst the uncertainty, messages of sorrow began to multiply.
As the hours went by, some acquaintances publicly identified the deceased as "Williams". “Rest in peace, my friend, how much pain you have left behind, rest in peace, Williams, we will take care of your little ones,” wrote a user, hinting that the victim was a family man.
Another comment stated: "The deceased is a family man who had gone to pick up his daughter from ballet."
Another person stated that the victim "was always walking slowly."
"It was the car that hit him from behind, don’t voice opinions without knowing, the deceased has family and friends, respect us,” he added.
Conflicting versions and debate over responsibilities
As often happens after a traffic incident in Cuba, social media became a platform for debate and speculation. Some users immediately blamed the drivers of electric motorcycles.
"The motorcyclists are driving recklessly," stated a commentator. Another claimed that "those small types of motorcycles shouldn't be allowed on the malecón, which is a fast lane."
However, other voices called for caution and rejected hasty judgments.
"They always blame the motorcycles. I won't deny you're right, but it's not absolute. I've seen car, bus, truck, and other vehicle drivers commit millions of infractions," wrote a participant.
A witness provided a different account of what happened: “A friend was right there fishing. The driver seemed distracted and hit the motorcycle from behind. He died instantly.”
"That's an electric bike that can go up to 30 km/h at full speed; the vehicle hit it from behind on the passenger side... what is true is that if the law is applied in this case, the car that hit from behind is at fault. It's not about who is speeding or not, it's about exercising extreme caution," pointed out another.
In light of those opinions, some argued that motorcycles should not be allowed on that road.
"Those motorcycles that don't go over 30 km should be banned on the malecón just like they are on 5th Avenue," remarked another commenter.
Hypotheses about the vehicle involved also emerged.
While some speculated that it could be a diplomatic vehicle, others insisted that "it was a tourist car."
A repeating pattern
Beyond the conflicting accounts, the accident once again highlights concerns about road safety in the capital.
“Every day is the same… there’s no way for drivers to understand the importance of being cautious and that their loved ones are waiting for them at home,” lamented a user.
Another comment reflected the public's bewilderment: “With so few cars and motorcycles on the road, accidents are still occurring; I don't understand anything.”
The Malecon in Havana, one of the busiest and most iconic avenues in the city, has a speed limit that several users place between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour. However, the constant flow of vehicles, along with the coexistence of cars, motorcycles, tricycles, and electric bicycles, creates additional risks.
As of the closing of this note, there is no additional information regarding what happened.
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