The deaths of two young individuals in a traffic accident in Manzanillo, Granma province, have caused shock among family, friends, and neighbors, who flooded social media with farewell messages and calls for increased 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 friends as "Felito."
According to testimonials shared by local residents, both were riding a motorcycle when the fatal accident occurred. One version shared by an internet user providing details of the incident indicates that the motorcycle collided with a pole near Berto Park and ended up near a tobacco shop; however, to date, no official reports regarding the circumstances of the events have emerged.
Several users noted that the deceased were young residents of the area known as La Vuelta del Caño. One of the testimonies indicated that they were 17 and 23 years old, respectively, although those ages have not been independently confirmed.
The youth of the victims has been one of the elements that has caused the most distress. “Rest in peace, my friends. It’s been a strong blow for all of us. I can’t believe they are no longer with us,” wrote Nilietis Yeline García Sierra, who directly bid farewell to both: “Melani and Félix, we love you very much; we will never forget you.”
Other messages reflect the disbelief of those who personally knew the victims. "Rest in peace, Felito. May God keep you in glory. What a great pain you have left for all of us who knew you," expressed Bianis Solano Santisteban.
Oscar Rondon also expressed his sorrow at the young man's death: "I still can't believe it, my bro. What sadness."
Expressions of grief rapidly multiplied. "What a tragedy, 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 neighbors about the risky behaviors associated with motorcycles and scooters in Manzanillo. Some residents stated that it is common to see young people riding dangerously on these vehicles in various parts of the city and questioned the lack of measures to prevent tragedies. "In Mzllo (Manzanillo), they don't put a stop to the young people and children riding scooters," lamented an internet user, who warned that many times "when something 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 no official elements to support the assertion that Melani Mompié and Félix Zayas Lastres were participating in a race, nor to determine the speed of the motorcycle at the time of the impact.
The grief over the loss of both young individuals ultimately overshadowed any other discussion.
"We mothers are the ones who suffer," wrote Yeisi Rodríguez in one of the most heartbreaking comments. "It fills me with tremendous pain and sorrow. [...] What a shame, my God, full of life."
Dozens of people sent condolences to the families of Melani and Félix and urged that the tragedy also serve as a call for caution, especially among the younger individuals riding motorcycles and motor scooters on Cuban streets.
The farewell of Melani and Félix was also marked by motorcycles. In a video shared later in the Facebook group Revolico Manzanillo, a caravan of motorcyclists can be seen riding through 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 farewell that is particularly symbolic.
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