Two women riding an electric bicycle were swept away this Saturday by the current of a ravine in Placetas, Villa Clara, during the heavy rains that affected the municipality in the afternoon, according to reports published on Facebook by user Rubén Carrillo and confirmations from neighbors on that post.
The incident occurred in the area known as the entrance to the blocks. The force of the water swept the two women to the area located behind the CUPET gas station, identified by locals as CUPET El Milagro.
Firefighters from the Comando 4 de Bomberos arrived at the scene along with neighbors who participated in the rescue efforts. Both women were rescued alive.
In the comments on the post, local residents specified the exact location of the incident. "It's the ravine that runs by CUPET El Milagro," wrote one neighbor. Another was more specific: "In the ravine directly in front of the CUPET near the blocks."
At the time of the initial report, the electric bicycle on which the women were traveling had not been located. However, a resident confirmed shortly afterward: "The firefighters just took out the bike, I was there just now."
Several described the rain as exceptionally intense. "It hasn't rained like this in Placetas, Villa Clara, Cuba, for years," wrote a Cuban.
Another reported that the heavy rain had flooded several houses and noted that "the entire road is flooded."
A video posted at 1:30 p.m. showed the Central Highway, between 4th and 5th of the West, in front of the Baptist Church, completely flooded.
A person who saw the firefighters pass by from their workplace commented, "I had been told it was two girls. Thank God nothing happened. What a heavy downpour."
Placetas has 17 gullies that run through its urban area, the blockage of which by solid waste increases the risk of flooding during heavy rains, according to disaster prevention documents from the municipality.
Such emergencies have become recurrent in Cuba during 2026: in May, firefighters in Holguín rescued a 73-year-old man trapped by the rise of the Marañón River.
In September, a man survived after falling into a 15-meter deep well in Manzanillo, Granma.
The rainy season in Cuba lasts from May to October, peaking in intensity between August and October, during which the deterioration of urban infrastructure—including the lack of railings in areas over ravines—multiplies the danger for the population.
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