The National Civil Defense Staff has confirmed that the death toll has increased to eight individuals, with two more reported missing in Guantánamo province following the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar in eastern Cuba. The hurricane triggered severe flooding across four municipalities, with San Antonio del Sur bearing the brunt of the disaster, accounting for six of the fatalities, as noted in a report by the state-run entity and published by the official newspaper Granma.
On Wednesday, the organization stated that there are currently eight confirmed deaths and two individuals unaccounted for. Additionally, two minors are in recovery from serious injuries sustained during the hurricane. The victims initially reported include Francisco Colombia Matos, 92; Esmeraldo Noa Fiffe, 82; Antolino Areas Domínguez, 84; Alexander Saben Matos, 42; Iriannis Labañino Domínguez, 31; and Liz Anyi Elíaz Labañino, only 5 years old. Recently added to this tragic list are María Martha Osorio Matos, 81, and Ramón Díaz Matos, 86, from San Antonio del Sur and Imías, respectively.
During the hurricane, two children were also injured. Yodelmis Furones Matos, a six-year-old from Baracoa, was airlifted to the South Children's Hospital Dr. Antonio María Véguez in Santiago de Cuba, where he is currently stable. Meanwhile, Abraham Daniel González Hernández, aged 12, sustained a leg injury after being swept away by floodwaters and is recovering at the Pediatric Hospital Pedro Agustín Pérez in Guantánamo. Both children are reported to be out of danger, according to the official note.
Authorities continue to search for Kaliannis Hernández Urgelléz, 35, and Orlenis Gamboa Pérez, 42, who remain missing in the affected area. The Civil Defense has implemented safety measures and is providing assistance to the impacted communities while assessing the damage caused by the storm. Persistent rains and floods continue to challenge recovery efforts.
Criticism has been directed at the regime for failing to protect the population, leaving them vulnerable during a massive power outage that coincided with the hurricane's onslaught. Notably, among the eight deceased, five were elderly individuals over 80 years of age, and two were a young mother and her five-year-old daughter, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the most vulnerable.