A group of poets from Holguín has come together in a poignant tribute to commemorate the 13 lives lost in a devastating explosion at a military storage facility in the town of Melones, located in the Rafael Freyre municipality. These artists collaborated on a song that honors the memory of the young victims, many of whom were teenagers fulfilling their Mandatory Military Service.
The piece, named "Duelo en verdeolivo," was spearheaded by the Executive Secretariat of the National Union of Artists (UNARSO), under the leadership of Ida Zaragoza. In the aftermath of this tragic event, Zaragoza called upon her fellow poets to express their solidarity through music and poetry. The song, created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) which provided both the voice and music, achieves a moving harmony that echoes the collective mourning of a province in grief.
On January 7th, a blast at the Melones military storage claimed the lives of 13 individuals, including four officers and nine soldiers, some of whom were nearing the completion of their military service. This catastrophe has deeply affected the entire province of Holguín, leaving families of the victims in profound anguish as they continue to seek answers regarding the circumstances of the disaster.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR), a technical malfunction, likely a short circuit, was responsible for the incident. However, the ongoing explosions and the hazards posed by accumulated gases have prevented authorities from accessing the site to retrieve the bodies, resulting in the official declaration of the 13 missing as deceased.
The lack of transparency and the delayed rescue efforts have sparked outrage among the victims' families, who have accused the authorities of negligence. The government's silence over the incident for several days intensified the frustration of the families, who were left without information regarding the investigation or the rescue operations.
On Friday, without assuming responsibility for the tragedy, the regime announced plans to hold a posthumous tribute to those who perished in the explosions.
FAQs on the Tragic Explosion in Holguín
What caused the explosion in Melones?
The explosion was reportedly caused by an electrical failure, possibly due to a short circuit in the installation, as stated by MINFAR.
How many people died in the explosion?
Thirteen individuals died in the explosion, including four officers and nine soldiers, some of whom were close to completing their military service.
What was the response of the victims' families?
The families of the victims expressed outrage over the lack of information and the delayed rescue efforts, accusing the authorities of negligence.