At least one person has died in the fire at an oil storage depot in the port of the Cuban city of Matanzas. 121 people were injured, 17 others are missing.
A body has been found at the site, local authorities announced at a news conference. About 1,9000 people have been evacuated from the area, a suburb of the city of Matanzas.
Five injured people were taken to hospital in critical condition, about thirty others are seriously injured, according to an initial balance. Cuban Energy Minister Livan Arronte was also injured.
The 17 missing are all firefighters who went to the fire when an explosion occurred.
The fire in the city east of Havana, according to authorities, started in a crude oil storage tank Friday night after a lightning strike. There have already been four major explosions. According to Cuban media, there are a total of eight large tanks. As far as we know, one is ablaze.
The fire is not yet under control, according to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Cuba has asked for international aid. Mexico, Venezuela, Russia, Nicaragua, Argentina and Chile have already pledged material aid, and the United States has also offered assistance.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has gone to the port of Matanzas to be informed. Firefighters from other parts of the country, including Havana, 80 kilometers away, have come to the rescue. The president said it could take some time to bring the fire under control.
The director of the state oil company says it is the largest fire ever in Cuba. Firefighters from other parts of the country, including Havana, 80 kilometers away, have come to the rescue.
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