A Gazelle taxi carrying passengers lost control on Saturday and collided with a utility pole in the city of Camagüey, right in front of Esteban Borrero Middle School.
The incident was reported on social media by influencer and activist Nara Yack, whose real name is Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista. The crash completely toppled the pole, leaving electrical wires strewn across the road and forcing traffic to halt in the area. The entire vicinity was left without power due to the accident.
“A route taxi, a Gazelle, whatever you want to call it, was carrying passengers. Apparently, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a utility pole, knocking it down completely. The wiring was spread all over the road, and traffic came to a standstill,” the communicator described.
The driver was the most severely injured. In the absence of an ambulance, he was urgently transported on a passing tricycle. "The driver was taken quickly on a tricycle that happened to pass by," she recounted. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, only injuries.
Residents in the area, who were on a special electrical circuit, reported unusual effects at the moment of impact. According to Yack, “all their electronic devices started flickering and making noises they don’t usually make.”
This accident adds to a series of incidents involving similar vehicles. In April of this year, a Gazelle carrying 12 passengers was hit by a truck in Vedado, resulting in 17 injuries. In January, a massive accident on the Central Road in Jimaguayú, Camagüey, resulted in two deaths and 38 injuries.
Gazelles are minibuses operating as route taxis with fixed routes in Cuban cities. They are managed by state-run companies affiliated with the Ministry of Transportation, accommodating about 14 passengers, and serve as a supplemental public transport option in the country.
The incident occurs amid a severe transportation crisis in Cuba, characterized by aging vehicle fleets ranging from 40 to 70 years old, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages. According to official figures from the National Commission for Road Safety, Cuba ended 2025 with 7,538 traffic accidents, 750 fatalities, and 6,718 injuries. Authorities attribute 72% to 74% of these accidents to human factors, although they acknowledge that the deterioration of vehicles and road infrastructure exacerbates the problem.
Understanding Traffic Incidents in Cuba
What caused the taxi accident in Camagüey?
The taxi accident in Camagüey occurred when the Gazelle taxi lost control and crashed into a utility pole, causing a power outage and halting traffic in the area.
How are Gazelle taxis operated in Cuba?
Gazelle taxis are minibuses that operate as route taxis on fixed routes in Cuban cities. They are managed by state-run companies under the Ministry of Transportation, accommodating around 14 passengers.
What are the contributing factors to Cuba's transportation crisis?
Cuba's transportation crisis is largely due to aging vehicle fleets, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages, compounded by road infrastructure deterioration.