A 13-year-old boy died this Sunday after being struck by an electric shock while he was with two other minors during a storm in the community of Santa María, near the city of Las Tunas.
The other two children survived and were admitted to the Pediatric Hospital in the main municipality of the province, where they were reported to be out of danger at the time the information was released, according to the Facebook profile Radar del Tiempo.
The weather page, which attributed the information to Oyer Carcases, specified that the three children were underneath a tree trying to seek shelter when the electrical discharge occurred.
Radar del Tiempo expressed its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased teenager and urged the public to always take precautions during thunderstorms.
So far, the identities of the three minors and other details about the circumstances under which the incident occurred have not been disclosed.
The José Ramón Martínez Álvarez Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Artemisa also echoed the tragedy, expressed its condolences to the family and the community, and used the incident to issue a warning about the dangers of thunderstorms.
“This fact reminds us that thunderstorms are a real risk, and we must always protect ourselves,” stated the institution, which also reaffirmed its commitment to preventive education.
The danger of seeking shelter under a tree
One of the most significant details of the tragedy is that the three minors were taking shelter under a tree when the lightning strike occurred, according to information released by Radar del Tiempo.
The situation coincides exactly with the first warning subsequently issued by the José Ramón Martínez Álvarez Pediatric Teaching Hospital: “Avoid taking shelter under trees”.
The case highlights a behavior that may seem intuitive when it starts to rain: seeking the shelter of a tree. The pediatric institution, however, explicitly included it among the behaviors that should be avoided during a thunderstorm.
Four measures to protect yourself during a thunderstorm
After learning about the events in Las Tunas, the José Ramón Martínez Álvarez Teaching Pediatric Hospital outlined four preventive measures and urged special attention to educating children about these phenomena.
1. Do not seek refuge under trees. This is precisely the situation highlighted by the Weather Radar in this case: the three minors were taking shelter under a tree when they were struck by the lightning. The hospital listed this behavior as the first that should be avoided during a storm.
2. Stay away from posts, cables, and metal structures. The second recommendation from the institution is to keep a distance from these elements during electrical activity.
3. Take shelter in closed and safe spaces. Instead of staying outdoors or seeking protection under a tree, the hospital recommends heading to an enclosed space that can provide shelter from the storm.
4. Educating children about these dangers. The pediatric center placed special emphasis on prevention from an early age. The warning is particularly relevant in this case, where the three affected individuals were minors.
«At the José Ramón Martínez Pediatric Hospital, we reaffirm our commitment to preventive education,» stated the institution, which concluded its message identifying itself as «guardians of the health of children from Artemisa».
Experts also recommend applying the so-called 30/30 rule: if less than 30 seconds pass between the lightning and the thunder, one should seek shelter immediately and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside again.
A storm that arrived without warning
Several testimonies on social media agreed that the phenomenon took residents of the area by surprise.
“Yesterday, when the loud thunder struck, it wasn’t even drizzling or anything; it was a dry thunder. These lamentable things happen every year,” wrote a user.
Another person recounted, "I was in the yard picking up laundry because it was just drizzling when that tremendous thunder struck. What a scare! It knocked out several electrical devices in my neighborhood."
Testimonies indicate that the intense electrical activity started when it was barely raining or even before precipitation began in some areas, a circumstance that could lead to underestimating the danger of being outdoors.
Pain and reflection on social media
The reaction on social media was overwhelmingly one of sadness and solidarity, but the circumstances of the tragedy also sparked comments about the importance of teaching how to act when a storm begins from an early age.
"What a shame, their ignorance betrayed them. My condolences to the family and friends, and wishing a speedy recovery for the two hospitalized," expressed a commentator.
Another one remarked, "Poor boy. Perhaps they didn't know it was dangerous to be there."
The tragedy also sparked a conversation about the challenge of convincing children to come inside when thunder begins.
“They get upset when we bring them in because it's thundering, since at that age they don't understand and just want to play, but this is proof that we're doing the right thing,” wrote a mother.
Another one recounted: "I scolded my son yesterday; he didn't want to come inside, and he got upset, but mom always knows how to prevent things. Now I will show him this news."
A threat that surpasses hurricanes
The electric shocks are the leading cause of death from natural phenomena in Cuba, even surpassing hurricanes.
According to data from the Meteorological Institute (INSMET), between 1987 and 2023, lightning caused 1,892 deaths in the country, with an annual average of 51 fatalities, and the months with the highest mortality are July, August, and June.
A chain of tragedies involving minors
The death of the teenager from Santa María adds to a series of tragedies caused by electric shocks that have claimed the lives of minors in Cuba in recent years.
In June 2025, two teenagers aged 13 and 16 tragically died while playing soccer in Bauta, Artemisa.
Just two months later, in August, three children aged 13 and 14 died due to a lightning strike in Manicaragua, Villa Clara, and a fourth minor was injured.
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