At least 17 firefighters were missing while trying to put out a fire caused by an exploding fuel tank in Matanzas (western Cuba).the Cuban dictatorship reported on Saturday.
The island regime has requested international assistance and expert advice on the oil issue while the fires continue.
Until now, The number of wounded was 77more than ten minutes estimated by the Minister of Public Health, José Angel Portalwho identified three severe injuries, three very serious injuries, 12 serious injuries, 20 less serious injuries and 29 minor injuries, according to the affidavits I collected. Cuban magazine.
The affected ore deposits, with a capacity of 50 thousand cubic meters, are located in Supertanker base for the industrial zone of Matanzasnear the Antonio Guitras Thermoelectric Plant, one of the largest power plants in Cuba.
Official media reported that the fire had not yet been brought under control..
country dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel; and his prime minister, Manuel MareroAnd the Travel to Matanzas at dawn to closely follow the development of the event He visited the wounded at the nearby Faustino Perez County Hospital.
According to state television, Some families have been evacuated from Matanzas in the neighborhoods of the city closest to the affected industrial areaBecause of the dangers of flame spread.
A large column of thick black smoke extends from the scene and is already visible in Havanaa hundred kilometers from there.
The fire started on Friday around 7:00 p.m. local time (23:00 GMT) when an electrical discharge hit one of the base’s eight crude oil tanks.
Then a fire broke out that affected one of the warehouses and appeared to be under control at first, according to the island’s state media.
however, High winds made the extinction process difficult and carried the flames to a second reservoir, and at about 7:00 local time this Saturday (11:00 GMT), it caused a new large explosion in another reservoir..
The fire comes at a time when the island has been struggling to generate power since last May. Due to the obsolescence of its eight thermoelectric plants, failures and scheduled maintenance, fossil fuel shortages and increased demand due to the summer heat.
Cause disability in generations Power outages of up to 12 hours a day in some areas of the countrycausing outrage among residents and even some protests in rural towns, with people banging pots and chanting into the night.
Tonight, in the midst of the action at the gas station, New protests were recorded in some localities of the island They were without electricity.
The average capacity of the electrical system in the country is currently 2,500 MW, which is not enough to demand households in times of maximum consumption, which reaches 2,900 MW, according to official information.
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