Update (1102 EST): 17 firefighters missing.
#ULTIMOMINUTO: Encabeza @DiazCanelB reunión donde imparte instrucciones para enfrentar los daños del siniestro en la Base de Super Tanqueros.
?Se reportan hasta el momento 17 personas desaparecidas, bomberos que estaban en la zona más cercana intentando evitar la propagación. pic.twitter.com/JXoOy2yZX7
— Presidencia Cuba ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) August 6, 2022
For the past 12 hours, a fuel tank fire has been spreading throughout the industrial zone of Matanzas, Cuba. A fourth explosion just occurred 10 minutes ago as emergency crews struggle to contain the blaze.
The fire began around 2200 EST on 06AUG22 when lightning struck a fuel tank at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant. The tank was at 59% capacity and exploded nearly an hour after crews failed to extinguish the inferno. The initial fire claimed no lives. However, after 12 hours and four explosions, 59 have been injured and 10 are in critical condition.
The Cuban Prime Minister and members of the National Assembly have gone to the site and expressed their solidarity with the injured.
As of writing this article, the fire is still in to rolled as it has moved to several warehouses as emergency service members have had to evacuate. This is the sky over Havana.
