A truck loaded with several tons of sugar flipped over on Sunday in the heart of Florida, Camagüey, knocking down a power pole and leaving hundreds of families without electricity in the Morales district and nearby areas.
The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. at the junction of República and Maceo streets, according to journalist Pedro Pablo Saez Herrera's report on Facebook.
As the driver attempted to turn onto Maceo street, part of the rear undercarriage of the semitrailer slipped into the ditch lining the road, causing the vehicle to lose balance and topple onto the sidewalk. The container it was carrying landed on a power pole, bringing it down and disrupting the service in the vicinity.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the accident.
Efforts to remove the overturned truck took several hours due to the weight of the load. Before the truck could be lifted, some of the sugar had to be cleared away, and two heavy-duty cranes were brought in to facilitate the operation.
The removal work continued past 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, as noted by the same reporter.
Power Restoration Efforts and Challenges
The director of the Basic Electric Organization (OBE) in Florida stated that to fully restore power, a new pole would need to be installed, cables and accessories reconnected, and the condition of the affected lines checked. According to the report, this could take up to 48 hours, extending the blackout for some of the affected residents.
This accident came just a day after residents of Camagüey reported another power pole knocked down by a truck on Van Horne avenue, where electrical wires lay across the road for more than 24 hours.
The recent outage adds to the hardships faced by Florida's residents amid Cuba's ongoing energy crisis, characterized by prolonged blackouts due to electricity generation shortfalls.
Understanding the Impact of Power Outages in Camagüey
What caused the power outage in Florida, Camagüey?
The outage was caused by a truck carrying sugar that overturned and knocked down a power pole, disrupting electricity for hundreds of residents.
How long will the power restoration take?
It is estimated that the restoration efforts could take up to 48 hours, as a new pole needs to be installed and the affected lines checked.
Were there any injuries reported from the accident?
No injuries were reported as a result of the truck overturning.