Cuba’s Transport Minister Responds to Matanzas Train Derailment Incident
Cuba’s Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila reacted to a recent train derailment of Tren Extra 924 in Matanzas, where five tanker cars derailed, with one catching fire. Emergency measures have been taken, and an investigation is underway. This incident sheds light on ongoing issues within Cuba’s railway infrastructure, which has seen multiple accidents in recent months, raising concerns about safety protocols and maintenance.
The Minister of Transportation in Cuba, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, responded to a train derailment incident that recently caused chaos in Matanzas. The derailment took place at kilometer 80.500 on the Central Line, near Mocha station. The Tren Extra 924 was transporting rum from the “Meláneo Hernández” distillery to a factory in Santa Cruz del Norte when five of its tanker cars derailed. One car overturned and subsequently caught fire, while two others were only partially overturned, leaving two still on the track. The incident disrupted about 100 meters of railway.
In a Facebook update, Rodríguez Dávila remarked that this incident was “something more than a railway accident.” He was supervising work at the Havana Bay tunnel when he learned of the derailment and swiftly made his way to the site to assess the damages firsthand. Emergency measures were soon activated to support affected passengers, including rescheduling the Havana – Holguín train and temporarily halting the Guantánamo – Havana service.
According to Rodríguez Dávila, an investigation to uncover the cause of the derailment is underway. Despite the serious nature of the accident, he noted the fortunate absence of any human casualties. Cuba’s railway system has experienced several accidents lately, raising concerns about infrastructure reliability.
Looking back, in April 2025, a national train derailed on the Holguín-Havana route in Las Tunas, and earlier in December 2024, a collision between two freight trains in Sancti Spíritus resulted in an oil spill. Investigations suggested regulatory violations led to these incidents. Moreover, in September and August 2024, there were reports of a passenger train derailment in Matanzas and another derailment on the Manzanillo-Havana route, respectively.
The accidents illustrate ongoing issues with Cuba’s railway system. The recent derailment not only highlights infrastructure problems but also has broader implications for the national economy, as it complicates transportation and logistics. Critics have increasingly pointed fingers at the government for the lack of investment in safety and maintenance.
Frequently asked questions related to the Matanzas accident clarify what transpired and the repercussions on transportation. The accident involved Train Extra 924, which faced derailment while transporting rum. Emergency responses were deployed quickly, and the ongoing investigation aims to understand better what caused this incident.
Regarding the impact on Cuba’s transportation situation, it becomes evident that these accidents are reflective of a deeper, systemic issue in the railway infrastructure, which has garnered public scrutiny over persistent neglect. Previous accidents reveal a pattern—deterioration, violations of operational regulations, and human errors continue to plague the railway system, leading to not just economic setbacks but also significant environmental repercussions.
The train derailment in Matanzas underscores critical issues within Cuba’s railway system, showcasing a pattern of accidents driven by infrastructure decay and operational lapses. With no human casualties reported, the focus now shifts to thorough investigations to prevent future incidents. The government’s response highlights ongoing challenges regarding transportation safety, further intensifying public scrutiny over the state of the railway services in Cuba.
Original Source: en.cibercuba.com
