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The official newspaper Escambray updated this Monday with information about a accident that occurred in La Sierpe, Sancti Spíritus: three people were injured, including a minor, when a cart carrying eight passengers overturned after the horse that was pulling it got spooked.
The accident occurred shortly after eight in the morning in the area known as El Muro del Canal, between the communities of Las Nuevas and El Jíbaro, in the municipality of La Sierpe.
According to sources from the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital cited by Escambray, the three injured individuals are reported to be in serious condition.
The injured child was transferred to the José Martí Pérez Provincial Pediatric Hospital, a referral center for minors in Sancti Spíritus, while the other two injured adults are receiving care at the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.
The Integrated Medical Emergencies System (SIUM) was activated immediately after the overturning of the carriage.
The initial report indicated three injured individuals, with one in serious condition, but did not specify the type of vehicle or the causes of the accident. The update from Escambray provided details about the carriage, the number of occupants, and the presence of a minor among the affected.
The use of animal-drawn vehicles is common in rural areas of Cuba as an alternative due to the shortage of fuel and motorized transport, although they are not free from accidents when the animals get spooked.
This accident adds to a series of traffic incidents that have shaken Cuba so far in 2026. On Sunday, a massive bus accident in Cienfuegos left dozens injured, and on this very Monday, it was confirmed that the first fatality of that incident was Lorena Isabel Hernández Bassa, 34 years old.
In February, a tragedy on the National Highway near Sancti Spíritus claimed four lives and left 17 injured, several of whom were treated at the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.
The overall situation is equally serious: in 2025, traffic accidents resulted in 750 fatalities and 6,718 injuries nationwide, with 7,538 incidents reported.
Cuban authorities attribute 72% of accidents to human factors: disregard for right of way, inattention while driving, and speeding.
El Escambray specified that "three injured individuals are reported under care, including a child who is hospitalized at the provincial Pediatric Hospital José Martí Pérez," without providing any additional details regarding the health status of those affected or possible responsibilities in the incident.
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