Two women riding on an electric bicycle were dragged away by the current of a creek in Placetas, Villa Clara, during the heavy rains that hit the municipality on Saturday afternoon, and both were rescued alive, according to reports circulated on social media.
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 neighbors as CUPET El Milagro, according to information published on Facebook by the user Rubén Carrillo and confirmations from neighbors in that post.
Members of the Fire Command 4 responded to the scene alongside neighbors who participated in the rescue efforts. Both women were rescued alive.
In the comments of 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 across from the CUPET by 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 brought the bike out; 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 woman. Another reported that the downpour had flooded several homes 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 was told that there were two girls. Thank God nothing happened. What a heavy downpour."
Placetas has 17 ravines that run through its urban area, whose obstruction by solid waste exacerbates the risk of flooding during heavy rains, according to disaster prevention documents from the municipality.
This type of emergency has become recurrent in Cuba during 2026: in May, firefighters from Holguín rescued a 73-year-old man trapped by the rising waters of the Marañón River.
In September, a man survived after falling into a 15-meter well in Manzanillo, Granma.
The rainy season in Cuba lasts from May to October, with the highest intensity occurring between August and October. During this period, the deterioration of urban infrastructure— including the lack of railings in sections over ravines—exacerbates the danger to the population.
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