A traffic collision near the cemetery of Cárdenas, Matanzas, left six individuals injured on Wednesday, with one person in critical condition, according to initial reports.
The incident took place around 1:15 p.m. when two vehicles collided at an intersection bordering the cemetery of the so-called “City of Flags,” as reported by Telebandera cameraman José Antonio Armás Falcón on Facebook.
Based on his account, the crash resulted in five individuals sustaining minor injuries, while one person was seriously hurt and may suffer long-term consequences due to the accident. The identities of the injured parties have yet to be disclosed.
The collision involved a truck and a van from the Palmares S.A. Extra-Hotel Company, which was severely damaged by the impact.
Allegedly, the truck driver failed to heed the stop sign at the cemetery intersection and the circumferential road, leading to the collision with the van. “Right of way is crucial,” Armás warned in his post.
Local residents who shared the post raised concerns about inadequate signage at this busy intersection, particularly since one of the roads, Vía Blanca, connects Cárdenas to the Varadero resort.
Many commenters agreed that installing a traffic light and additional warning signs is necessary due to the frequent accidents at this location.
Traffic accidents remain one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries in Cuba. From January to August this year, 502 fatalities were recorded in road incidents, which account for 80% of the total road fatalities expected for 2024, indicating an increase in traffic-related deaths.
The National Road Safety Commission highlighted in its latest report that victims were reported in seven out of ten incidents during this period, primarily due to vehicle collisions, which remain the “most dangerous” type of accident, responsible for 36% of all fatalities.
The most critical situations have been observed in the provinces of Villa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Artemisa, where traffic accidents in the first eight months of 2025 increased by over a third compared to the previous year.
Key Questions About Traffic Incidents in Cuba
What caused the recent traffic accident in Cárdenas?
The accident was caused when a truck driver allegedly failed to stop at a designated stop sign, leading to a collision with a van.
How many people were injured in the Cárdenas accident?
Six people were injured, with one of them in critical condition.
Are traffic accidents common in Cuba?
Yes, traffic accidents are a major cause of death and serious injury in Cuba, with a significant increase in incidents reported in recent years.