On Monday, the state-run newspaper Escambray provided an update regarding a recent accident in La Sierpe, Sancti Spíritus, where three individuals, including a young child, were injured. The incident occurred when a horse-drawn cart carrying eight passengers overturned after the horse became frightened.
The accident took place shortly after 8 a.m. in the area known as El Muro del Canal, situated between the communities of Las Nuevas and El Jíbaro in the municipality of La Sierpe.
According to information from the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital cited by Escambray, the three injured individuals are currently in a state of care.
The injured child was transported to the José Martí Pérez Provincial Pediatric Hospital, a key facility for treating minors in Sancti Spíritus, while the two injured adults are receiving treatment at the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.
The Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIUM) was activated immediately following the cart overturn.
The initial reports indicated three injuries, including one serious case, without specifying the type of vehicle involved or the causes of the incident. Escambray's update provided further details about the horse-drawn cart, the number of passengers, and the child's involvement in the accident.
Animal-drawn vehicles are commonly used in rural areas of Cuba as an alternative due to fuel shortages and a lack of motorized transport, although they are not immune to accidents, especially when animals are startled.
This accident is part of a series of traffic incidents that have shaken Cuba in 2026. On Sunday, a major bus accident in Cienfuegos resulted in dozens of injuries, and on Monday, the first fatality from that incident, 34-year-old Lorena Isabel Hernández Bassa, was confirmed.
In February, a tragic event on the National Highway near Sancti Spíritus claimed four lives and left 17 injured, several of whom were treated at the same Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.
The broader situation is grim as well. In 2025, traffic accidents resulted in 750 deaths and 6,718 injuries across Cuba, with 7,538 accidents recorded.
Cuban authorities attribute 72% of these accidents to human factors such as right-of-way violations, inattention while driving, and speeding.
Escambray noted that "three injured individuals are in a state of care, including a child who is hospitalized at the José Martí Pérez Provincial Pediatric Hospital," without providing further details on the victims' health status or any potential liabilities in the incident.
Key Information on La Sierpe Accident
What caused the accident in La Sierpe?
The accident was caused by a horse-drawn cart overturning after the horse became frightened.
How many people were injured in the accident?
Three individuals, including a child, were injured in the accident.
Where are the injured individuals receiving treatment?
The child is receiving treatment at the José Martí Pérez Provincial Pediatric Hospital, while the two adults are at the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital.