A tragic incident in Matanzas resulted in the death of a young man who was severely injured when a rifle accidentally discharged. According to reports circulating on social media, the rifle fell to the ground while he was carrying it on his shoulder as he rode a bicycle.
The pro-government Facebook page "Con Todos La Victoria" announced on Monday that the accident took place on the afternoon of August 25 in Bolondrón, a locality in the Pedro Betancourt municipality.
The account describes how the young man was riding a bicycle with a .22 caliber rifle slung over his shoulder when the firearm hit the pavement and discharged.
The bullet struck him in the arm, face, and left eye, according to the same source.
The publication identifies the weapon as a .22 caliber "Berno 2" rifle but provides no further information about its origin or why the young man was carrying it. The victim's identity and age remain undisclosed.
After sustaining injuries, he was urgently transported to the Provincial Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández in Matanzas, where he was admitted to intensive care.
He ultimately succumbed to his injuries, as reported by the same source.
"Con Todos La Victoria" used this incident to emphasize the necessity of following safety protocols when handling firearms and warned about the dangers of transporting them without proper protection.
This event occurred just days after the death of José Pablo Santovenia Gómez, 63, who was shot in the rural area of La Ferte, near Coliseo, also in Matanzas.
In contrast to the Bolondrón case, Santovenia Gómez's death was initially reported as a violent one, with speculation about an attempted robbery, although no official confirmation of the exact circumstances was available at the time.
This year has seen several other firearm-related fatalities under varying circumstances.
In March, Dailier Rodríguez Tamayo, 19, died from a gunshot while serving mandatory military service in Havana. Initially, military authorities deemed the incident an "accident," a claim contested by his family, who asserted he was given a weapon despite previous medical warnings.
In January, Hernán Casternaux Serrano, 31, was fatally shot in Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba, while attempting to break up a fight, according to family testimonies.
Firearm Safety and Accidents in Cuba
What caused the accidental shooting in Matanzas?
The accidental shooting occurred when a rifle fell from the shoulder of a young man riding a bicycle, causing it to discharge.
How did the authorities respond to the incident?
Authorities and pro-government sources used the incident to highlight the importance of adhering to firearm safety measures and the risks of improper transport.
Are firearm-related deaths common in Cuba?
There have been several reported firearm-related deaths in Cuba this year, occurring under different circumstances, indicating a concerning trend.