A young motorcyclist named Lonier Chacón Zamora is in critical condition following a severe collision with a horse-drawn cart on Sunday night near the Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Clinical-Surgical Hospital in the El Cobre area of Santiago de Cuba, reported journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The accident took place on the road connecting El Cobre and Palma Soriano, a dangerous route where motorcycles, cars, and animal-drawn vehicles all share the road, especially at night, as noted in the report.
Eyewitnesses from the scene revealed that Chacón Zamora was riding his motorcycle when it collided with the horse cart. "After the collision, the motorcyclist was thrown under the cart and sustained a severe chest injury," one source stated. Another account suggested that the cart's shaft struck the young man directly.
Images from the scene highlight the severity of the crash: the motorcycle was heavily damaged with parts scattered across the road, while the cart remained at the scene.
There were approximately four people riding in the cart. Several occupants, including women, were injured and transported to Santiago de Cuba for medical treatment.
Mayeta Labrada emphasized, "The most concerning situation remains that of Lonier Chacón Zamora, who, according to the latest reports, was rushed to surgery and is in critical condition."
"As of now," the journalist noted, "there is no official statement to clearly determine how the collision occurred or to assign blame," making any assumptions about the motorcycle's speed or the responsibility of those involved preliminary.
The accident sparked widespread concern among local residents since the area was in darkness at the time of the impact. "Local sources confirm that the area was completely dark due to a blackout, and even the Ambrosio Grillo Hospital was without electricity at that moment," stated Mayeta Labrada. According to witnesses, the power was only restored after the severe accident to aid in the emergency response for the young man.
This incident occurs amid a severe energy crisis affecting Santiago de Cuba throughout 2026. The provincial Electric Company admitted in June that it could only provide one to two hours of electricity per day, with outages lasting up to 22 hours. Just days before the El Cobre accident, the province experienced a total disconnection from the National Electroenergetic System that lasted nearly 48 hours.
This Sunday’s accident is not an isolated event in the province. On August 8, young Leandry Osorio fell into a coma with a critical prognosis following a motorcycle accident on the Ciudamar Highway in Santiago de Cuba. Nationally, official 2025 statistics recorded 7,538 traffic accidents, resulting in 750 fatalities and 6,718 injuries. Motorcycles, mopeds, and pedestrians were involved in 63% of these incidents.
At the time of this report's conclusion, no official medical update had been released regarding the condition of Lonier Chacón Zamora or the other injured individuals, according to Mayeta Labrada.
Key Questions About the Santiago de Cuba Accident
What caused the accident involving Lonier Chacón Zamora?
The collision occurred between Lonier Chacón Zamora's motorcycle and a horse-drawn cart on a dark road, with unclear circumstances regarding speed or fault.
How has the energy crisis in Santiago de Cuba impacted safety?
Frequent and prolonged power outages have left areas, including roads, in complete darkness, increasing the risk of accidents like the one involving Lonier Chacón Zamora.
What is the current condition of the injured parties from the accident?
Lonier Chacón Zamora is in critical condition, while several passengers of the cart were injured and received medical attention, but no official update has been provided on their status.