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image source, Reuters
After lightning struck a fuel storage tank near the industrial city of Matanzas late Friday, a fire broke out and spread to a second tank.
Authorities are trying to put out the fire that has left at least 67 injured and 17 missing firefighters.
Nearly 800 residents have been evacuated from the western part of Cuba, Reuters reported, citing Cuban state television.
The Provincial Government of People’s Power in Matanza, which is 130 km from Havana, reported through its Twitter account that there have been several explosions.
“There is no certain information about the magnitude of the incident, but it will undoubtedly be one of the saddest accidents“.
image source, Getty Images
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and other members of the government visited the wounded at the Faustino Pérez de Matanzas provincial hospital.
“Most of the injuries are burns to the lower limbs, necks of firefighters, workers from different areas and troops who worked to put out the fire, especially,” the Granma website said.
On his Twitter account, the Cuban president pointed out that “they are working hard and in very difficult conditions.
The extinction of the fire may still take time, but strategies for recovery are already being drawn up.”
image source, Getty Images
A helicopter pours water on the fire caused by the impact of lightning on a fuel tank, in the city of Matanzas, 130 km east of Havana.
Hours earlier he had written:
“It will be very long and distressing this morning, as was the night. They do not exist
background of a fire of such magnitude at the Supertanker Base”.
On its Twitter account, the Cuban Presidency stated that “help and advice was requested from friendly countries with experience in the oil issue.”
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