At 12:08pm Friday, a Boeing 737-200, leased by Cubana de Aviación, fell to the ground as it was taking off, in an area between José Martí International Airport and the town of Santiago de Las Vegas. About three persons were said to have survived while 100 persons were said dead. Passengers and crew members totalled 105, including one infant under two years of age and four children.
After several imprecise reports while investigation of details related to the accident was in progress, it has been confirmed that the majority of passengers on the plane were Cuban, with the exception of five travelers from abroad and the crew. Below is how Granma, the state run newspaper captured the incident.
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5:22 p.m. More details from Holguín
Granma’s correspondent in Holguín, Germán Veloz Placencia, reports that the province’s Party Secretary Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar has sent condolences to families of the victims and confirmed that a flight to Havana will depart tonight, with a representative from each family to identify bodies.
At this time, efforts are underway to locate families to determine who will travel tonight by air. A bus to Havana will also leave tomorrow morning with those who are not able to go tonight, while efforts continue to locate relatives in other provinces, principally Las Tunas and Granma.
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5:00 p.m. Frank País International Airport in Holguín establishes special command post
Frank País International Airport in Holguín has established a special command post, where present at this time are Army Corps General Ramón Espinosa Martín, deputy minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and Chief of the Eastern Strategic Region; first secretary of the Party in the province, Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar; and Julio César Estupiñán, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power. A flight is scheduled to depart Holguin at 10pm to transport families of the victims to Havana, for the identification of bodies.
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4:52 p.m. Central Criminalistics Lab conducting investigations
According to Granma reporter Sumaily Pérez, who is at the site of the accident, the Central Criminalistics Lab affiliated with the Civil Aeronautics Institute is conducting investigations.
Families of passengers have made facial reconstructions about, provided photos, and other information about the deceased to help identify bodies.
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Cuban authorities are providing these family members all accommodations necessary during their stay here.
4:27 p.m. Cuban authorities will meet family members of victims who have been able to arrive on the island, to identify relatives on the flight.
4:15 p.m. from Calixto García Hospital
Three survivors are being treated at the hospital, according to its director Martínez Blanco, a Council of State member who told Cuban television that the facility is prepared to respond to this type of emergency. One patient is undergoing surgery at this time, and one is being examined to determine next steps.
Four survivors were transported to the hospital. The one man has died, and the three women in critical condition are being treated.
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4:10 p.m. Report from Susana Antón, at the airport
The settlement in the municipality of Boyeros closest to the accident has a population of approximately 800. No human or material damage has been reported.
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4:05 p.m. Cuban President offers condolences to families of victims
President Miguel Díaz-Canel told Cuban television:
This is an unfortunate aviation accident and we are obliged to wait, because the news is not promising.
In the name of the Cuban government and the Communist Party of Cuba, we lament the event and join those offer condolences to the families for this tragic accident. Within a short time, the maximum transportation authorities were here. Here is the minister… authorities from the city, the airport, the Ministry of the Interior of Public Health, forensics… and all measures prepared for this type of even were adopted.
The fire was extinguished; a commission is investigating the facts. In addition to lamenting the events and expressing solidarity with the families, the events are being investigated and all the information will be made available. No workplace or dwelling was damaged. The population has behved with much discipline and is collaborating.
