Cuba confirms 13 soldiers killed in weapons depot explosion

The Cuban government announced on January 15 that 13 soldiers were killed after an explosion occurred at an arms depot in the country on January 7.

In a statement published in the Granma newspaper, the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces officially confirmed that 13 people were killed in the incident, according to AFP.

The explosion occurred near the community of Melones in Holguin province (eastern Cuba) on January 7. Melones is about 730 km east of the Cuban capital Havana.

Image on social media said to show explosion in Holguin province (Cuba) on January 7

PHOTO: CIBERCUBA SCREENSHOT

Earlier, Reuters quoted a statement from the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces saying that the January 7 explosion left four officers, including two majors, and nine soldiers missing. The explosion also forced the evacuation of more than 1,200 residents in the area.

Several videos and images posted on social media showed a large plume of smoke rising near Melones. Soldiers and local police blocked roads leading to the scene as rescue teams and firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, while there are some unconfirmed reports that the explosion occurred during the sorting of old ammunition at the arsenal.

Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces has also suggested that the explosions may have been caused by a fire at the scene.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuba-xac-nhan-13-binh-si-thiet-mang-trong-vu-no-kho-vu-khi-18525011610553272.htm