They will evacuate to nearby areas, due to the toxic gases from the spread of the fire.
The Comandante Faustino Pérez provincial hospital has confirmed at least 77 people injured in the fire in an oil tank in Cuba, ten more than the estimates made minutes before by the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal, Europa Press published.
In addition there are three critically injured, three very seriously, 12 seriously, 20 less seriously and 29 slightly, according to statements collected by the Diario de Cuba. There are also some firefighters missing.
From Mexico they reported that by presidential order specialists from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) are getting ready to travel to Cuba to help extinguish the fire.
Various organizations and individuals from the United States have expressed condolences to Cuba, and the government of that country offered technical advice.
Evacuation
Faced with this situation of “imminent danger of dissemination of toxic gases”, the local government of Matanzas has ordered “the massive evacuation of the closest populations”, beginning with the extraction of 800 people in Dubrocq, near the industrial zone of Matanzas where the fire happened.
“The purpose is to continue the evacuation. The La Ganadera community and other nearby areas are included. The objective is to exercise extreme caution”, commented Governor Mario Sabines Lorenzo.
Work is ongoing to extinguish the fire of great proportions in the Industrial Zone of the Athens of #Cuba.#ForceMatanzasthat we will get out of this. pic.twitter.com/l64k7sLZKC
– Manuel Marrero Cruz (@MMarreroCruz) August 6, 2022
The Cuban media have reported the explosion of up to four of the eight fuel tanks in the area, which has fueled the flames that have caused burns to several people.
Ambulances are already transferring those affected to hospitals while firefighters from Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana and Artemisa continue to work to control the fire, caused by lightning that struck a 55,000-liter oil tank.
The first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Matanzas, Susely Morfa, has confirmed that the fire is still active.
“The situation is difficult, but we persevere strongly. Matanzas at the foot of the canyon”, Morfa highlighted.
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