An unfortunate traffic accident occurred on Friday afternoon in Sagua de Tánamo, a municipality in Holguín province, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to five others. This incident involved a handmade tractor colliding with a motorcycle and several trees, as confirmed by journalist Yulianela Bárzaga Gómez from Radio Ecos de Sagua.
Details of the Incident
According to Major José Pérez López, a criminal forensic expert, the incident involved a handmade tractor, commonly referred to as a "riquimbili." The tractor was traveling from Sagua de Tánamo toward the town of El Jobo when it rear-ended a motorcycle traveling in the same direction near a social club.
"It appears that the tractor driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into trees, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to five, including the two individuals on the motorcycle," stated the expert, as reported on Bárzaga's Facebook profile.
Victims and Injuries
The vehicle is owned by a local identified only as El Gato.
The deceased have been named as Addiel Laurencio Torrente (19) from Castro, Onel Salazar Leyva (28) from El Jobo, and Inelvis Crespo Matos (55) from Zabala.
Among the injured, Yonner Matos Garlobo (38) suffered multiple injuries and was transported to the Holguín Clinical Surgical Hospital. Liuber Robles Videaux (40) from El Jobo remains in the local intensive care unit awaiting transfer to the same hospital. Yasser Laurencio Torrente (17) from Castro is under care at the municipal hospital, while Nelson Capdesuña Ramírez (28) is undergoing trauma protocol. Leonardo Romero Herrera (25) is awaiting transfer to the Guillermo Luis hospital in Moa.
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
The Ministry of the Interior continues to investigate the accident as of the latest reports.
This tragic event adds to a series of recent traffic accidents in Holguín, highlighting the severe road safety crisis in Cuba. Despite the energy crisis and reduced road transport, the issue persists.
According to the National Road Safety Commission, there were 7,538 road accidents nationwide in 2025, resulting in 750 deaths and 6,718 injuries. These numbers exceed those of 2024, which saw 634 deaths from road incidents.
Handmade vehicles, often created with limited resources, are prevalent in rural areas due to transportation shortages. They pose a continuous hazard on poorly maintained roads with inadequate signage.
Road Safety and Accident Prevention in Cuba
What caused the accident in Sagua de Tánamo?
The accident was caused by a handmade tractor colliding with a motorcycle and then crashing into trees, resulting in the loss of control by the tractor driver.
Who were the victims of the accident?
The deceased were identified as Addiel Laurencio Torrente, Onel Salazar Leyva, and Inelvis Crespo Matos. Five others, including Yonner Matos Garlobo and Liuber Robles Videaux, were injured.
What is the broader impact of road accidents in Cuba?
Road accidents in Cuba highlight a significant safety crisis, with high numbers of accidents, fatalities, and injuries despite limitations in transportation and infrastructure.