In a troubling incident, a Diana bus carrying 25 passengers overturned this afternoon at kilometer 448 on the Central Highway between Jicotea and Las Coloradas in Ciego de Ávila. This unfortunate event resulted in eight injuries, with three of the injured being minors, as reported by the Periódico Invasor and confirmed by Radio Surco.
The accident took place around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday. The bus, operated by the Provincial Transport Company, was returning from a recreational area when it overturned. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The Doctor Antonio Luaces Iraola Provincial Hospital received eight individuals from the accident site. Luis Manuel Martínez Martínez, head of the Orthopedic Service at the hospital, provided insights into the condition of those affected to Periódico Invasor.
"This evening, the emergency room attended to eight patients from the accident, three of whom are children," the specialist revealed.
Among the adults, the most severe injury was an open wrist dislocation fracture in one patient. Martínez Martínez mentioned that she "is scheduled for urgent surgical intervention," but assured that "there are no critical injuries or fatalities resulting from the incident."
Regarding the three minors, the doctor stated that "they will be kept under observation for a few hours at the facility." He added that "the others have minor lacerations or abrasions that are not expected to complicate their recovery."
The remaining 17 passengers on the bus were unharmed. The bus was transporting a total of 25 people when the accident occurred.
Provincial Emergency Protocols Activated
The accident prompted the activation of provincial emergency protocols. Julio Gómez Casanova, the first secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Colonel Luis Ernesto Castellanos Dobao, head of the MININT in the province, arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue efforts and initial investigation.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern in a province with a recent history of serious road accidents. In January 2025, two buses collided on the Morón-Turiguanó road, resulting in seven deaths and 59 injuries, attributed to driver error in severe fog conditions. In July of the same year, a state vehicle overturned in Majagua, also in Ciego de Ávila, leaving three dead—two of whom were children—and 16 injured.
National Road Safety Concerns Heighten
Nationally, road safety remains a major concern in Cuba. In 2025, the country recorded 7,538 traffic accidents, resulting in 750 deaths and 6,718 injuries. This was a higher death toll compared to 2024, which saw 634 fatalities in a comparable number of accidents. Official statistics pinpoint inattention to vehicle control as the cause in 30% of cases, followed closely by failure to yield right of way, accounting for 29.9%.
The grim situation is exacerbated by the structural crisis in Cuba's public transportation system: deteriorating fleets, fuel shortages, and poor maintenance increase the risk with every journey. In March 2026, a bus in Cienfuegos left 48 injured, including seven minors, marking another episode highlighting the frequency of these massive accidents with vulnerable passengers.
Provincial authorities in Ciego de Ávila have announced that an official report will be released soon, providing more details about the cause of the bus overturn and the condition of those injured.
Insights into Recent Bus Accidents in Cuba
What caused the bus accident in Ciego de Ávila?
The exact cause of the accident is currently under investigation. The bus was returning from a recreational area when it overturned.
How many people were injured in the accident?
A total of eight people were injured, including three minors, while the remaining 17 passengers were unharmed.
How does this accident compare to other recent incidents in Ciego de Ávila?
Ciego de Ávila has a concerning history of severe road accidents, including a deadly collision in January 2025 and a vehicle overturn in July the same year, underscoring ongoing safety challenges.