The death of two young people in a traffic accident in Manzanillo, Granma province, has caused shock among family, friends, and neighbors, who flooded social media with messages of farewell and calls to enhance safety precautions on the roads.
The victims were identified by numerous users on Facebook as Melani Mompié and Félix Zayas Lastres, affectionately known among some of his close friends as "Felito."
According to testimonies shared by local residents, both were riding a motorcycle when the fatal accident occurred. One of the accounts shared by an internet user who provided details about the incident indicates that the motorcycle collided with a pole near the Berto park and ended up moving close to a tobacco shop.
So far, there have been no official reports that clarify the exact circumstances that led to the collision, so the accounts regarding the dynamics of the accident should not be taken as definitive.
Several users noted that the deceased were young residents of the area known as La Vuelta del Caño. One witness stated that they were 17 and 23 years old, respectively, although those ages have not been independently verified.
The youth of the victims has been one of the elements that has caused the greatest consternation.
"Rest in peace, my friends. This has been a heavy blow for everyone. I can't believe you are no longer with us," wrote Nilietis Yeline García Sierra, who directly said goodbye to both: "Melani and Félix, we love you very much, we will never forget you."
Other messages reflect the disbelief of those who knew the victims personally.
"Rest in peace, Felito. May God keep you in glory. What a great pain you have left to all of us who knew you," expressed Bianis Solano Santisteban.
Oscar Rondon also mourned the young man's death: "I still can't believe it, my bro. What a tragedy."
Expressions of grief quickly multiplied. "What a sadness, so young," wrote Yanet Machado Valladares, while Yaumara Martínez mourned the loss of two people "so young, full of life."
The accident also raised concerns among residents about the risky behaviors associated with motorcycles and scooters in Manzanillo.
Some residents stated that it is common to see young people dangerously riding these vehicles through different areas of the city and questioned the lack of controls to prevent tragedies.
"In Mzllo (Manzanillo), they don't put a stop to the young people and children riding motorbikes," lamented an internet user, who warned that many times "by the time it happens, it's already too late."
Another resident claimed to have observed this type of behavior on Mártires de Vietnam street "at any hour" and questioned the actions of the authorities.
However, there are currently no official elements that allow for the assertion that Melani Mompié and Félix Zayas Lastres were participating in a race, nor to determine the speed of the motorcycle at the moment of impact.
The pain of losing both young individuals ultimately overshadowed any other discussion.
"We mothers are the ones who suffer," wrote Yeisi Rodríguez in one of the most heart-wrenching comments. "It gives me tremendous pain and sorrow. [...] What a pity, my God, full of life."
Dozens of people sent condolences to the families of Melani and Félix, and urged that the tragedy serve as a reminder for caution, particularly among the younger individuals who ride motorcycles and scooters on the streets of Cuba.
The farewell to Melani and Félix was also marked by motorcycles. In a video later shared in the Facebook group Revolico Manzanillo, a procession of motorcyclists can be seen touring the streets of the city as part of the final goodbye to the two young people.
The images show numerous motorcyclists moving together along one of the streets of Manzanillo in a particularly symbolic farewell.
Filed under: