The administration of Santiago de Cuba's "Saturnino Lora Torres" Provincial Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital confirmed on Sunday that a power outage in its Intensive and Intermediate Care Unit necessitated the evacuation of 12 patients from that area.
An official statement, published by the Sierra Maestra newspaper and CMKC Radio Revolución, attributed the incident to "a voltage overload in the electrical lines supplying the Intensive and Intermediate Care Unit." This overload caused the main line to overheat, triggering circuit breakers and temporarily cutting power to the unit.
Four of the 12 patients were relocated outside the hospital with the assistance of ambulances from the Integrated Medical Emergency System and motorized patrols, while the remaining eight patients were transferred to other critical care units within the hospital.
Governor Manuel Falcón Hernández, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Sirelis Pérez Ferrer, the General Secretary of the Health Union, and Dr. Miguel Ángel Díaz Núñez, the General Director of Health, were present at the scene.
The official statement emphasized that "thanks to the swift actions of healthcare professionals and authorities, there were no human casualties." It also noted that the Provincial Fire Department and the hospital's Maintenance Brigade were continuing to monitor the situation.
The incident was initially reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who mentioned a fire at the site.
"According to testimonies gathered on our page, it all began in the technical room where the air conditioning system is housed. An intense odor, reminiscent of ammonia, was first detected, followed by electrical sparking. In attempting to manage the situation, a liquid extinguisher was used instead of a foam one, resulting in a short circuit and an explosion that blew off the room's door and shattered the area's glasswork," Mayeta reported.
The Saturnino Lora Hospital has a history of complaints: in January 2025, bed bugs and cockroaches were documented in patient beds; in March 2025, authorities banned photography to hide grievances; and in November 2025, the deplorable state of its bathrooms, with leaks, broken pipes, and mold, was reported.
Governor Falcón Hernández had stated in February 2026 that no hospitals in the province would be closed despite the energy crisis, although he acknowledged that power outages necessitate the postponement of non-urgent analyses and procedures.
The national context exacerbates the situation: as of 2026, Cuba faces daily power generation deficits of up to 1,850 MW, the National Electric System completely collapsed for 29 hours on March 16, and the UN reported as of April 11 that there are at least 96,000 pending surgeries in the country, including 11,000 involving children.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Power Outage at Saturnino Lora Hospital
What caused the power outage at Saturnino Lora Hospital?
The power outage was caused by a voltage overload in the electrical lines supplying the Intensive and Intermediate Care Unit, leading to overheating and the tripping of circuit breakers.
Were there any injuries or casualties due to the incident?
According to the official statement, there were no human casualties thanks to the quick response by healthcare professionals and authorities.
How many patients were affected by the evacuation?
A total of 12 patients were affected; four were moved outside the hospital, and eight were relocated within to different critical care units.
What is the current state of the hospital following the incident?
The Provincial Fire Department and the hospital's Maintenance Brigade are monitoring the situation, ensuring the safety and functionality of the hospital facilities.