Thirteen Cuban soldiers, including four officers and nine soldiers, are missing following a series of powerful explosions at an arms and ammunition depot in the rural community of Melones in Holguín province, officials from Cuba’s armed forces confirmed late Tuesday.

The blasts occurred early on Tuesday, reportedly triggered by a fire at a nearby construction site. The explosions sent plumes of thick smoke and flames into the sky, as captured in videos circulating on social media. The site is located approximately 450 miles (724 km) southeast of Havana.

Authorities swiftly evacuated 1,245 residents from areas near the La Púa Popular Council in Gibara as a precautionary measure. Soldiers and local police secured access routes to the depot while firefighters and rescue teams worked to extinguish the flames and search for the missing.

Although officials stated that the incident poses “no danger to the community,” the large-scale evacuation and the nature of the explosion have raised concerns among locals, many of whom recall similar incidents in the past.

This incident is reminiscent of a 2020 explosion at another military facility in Holguín province, which led to the evacuation of more than 1,200 people. That explosion, also triggered by a fire, scattered projectiles across nearby areas, causing widespread panic and material damage to homes.

The recurrence of such incidents has drawn attention to the safety and security of Cuba’s military depots, particularly those storing aging ammunition and explosives. Extreme weather conditions and inadequate storage facilities are often cited as contributing factors to these incidents.

A government commission has been established to investigate the cause of the current explosion. While authorities work to determine the factors that led to the disaster, residents of Melones and nearby communities are demanding more transparency about potential risks and assurances that measures will be taken to prevent future tragedies.

For now, the focus remains on locating the missing soldiers and ensuring the safety of affected communities. As the investigation progresses, the incident underscores the need for improved safety protocols at Cuba’s military facilities to avoid further loss of life and property. (ILKHA)