Folks take a look at an enormous plume of smoke rising from the bottom of the large oil tanker Matanzas, as firefighters and specialists work to extinguish a hearth attributable to an electrical storm the day earlier than, in Matanzas, Cuba, Saturday, August 6, 2021. The hearth and 4 related explosions left behind Greater than 70 wounded. (Picture by Related Press/Ramon Espinosa)
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The Cuban authorities mentioned it accepted “technical steering” from the US to assist island authorities put out a raging hearth that threatens to engulf an oil storage facility within the Matanzas port, in what could possibly be one of many few examples of cooperation between the 2 international locations in recent times.
“We drastically respect the condolences and expressions of help from individuals and organizations in the US concerning the #Matanzas incident, together with from the US authorities, which supplied technical recommendation, a proposal that’s already within the arms of pros for applicable coordination,” mentioned Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Vice President Cuban Overseas Minister, on Twitter.
Cuban chief Miguel Diaz-Canel often takes to Twitter to speak about US sanctions in opposition to Cuba and criticize the Biden administration. However the depth of the fireplace and the firefighters’ failed try to include the flames up to now have prompted the authorities to just accept the supply with a public letter of thanks.
“We specific our deep gratitude to the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Russia, Nicaragua, Argentina and Chile, who instantly supplied materials help in solidarity within the face of this advanced scenario,” Díaz-Canel mentioned. We additionally respect the supply of technical recommendation from the US.
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs didn’t present particulars of what was supplied to Cuba.
An company spokesperson mentioned the Biden administration is “intently monitoring the scenario, together with any humanitarian wants which will come up.”
“The US embargo authorizes American individuals to supply and reply to catastrophe aid in Cuba,” the spokeswoman mentioned.
And the US embassy in Havana had beforehand mentioned that it was in touch with the Cuban authorities and despatched its condolences to the victims of the fireplace, which has injured 77 up to now.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has grow to be a detailed ally of Cuba, additionally despatched employees from the state oil firm Pemex to assist put out the fireplace.
Cuban authorities mentioned the fireplace began round 7 p.m. Friday, when a lightning strike struck a crude oil storage tank within the unloading space of the port of Matanzas. Regardless of the efforts of firefighters to manage it, there have been at the least 4 explosions within the early hours of Saturday, and the flames unfold to a second tank.
State media printed footage displaying a Cuban armed forces helicopter attempting to drop water over the flames.
This story was initially printed August 6, 2022 5:27 pm.
Nora Jamez Torres is the Cuba, United States and Latin American coverage correspondent for the El Nuevo Herald and Miami Herald. She studied journalism, media and communications in Havana and London. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Metropolis College, London. Her work has gained awards from the Florida Society of Information Editors and the Society of Skilled Journalists. // Nora Gámez Torres estudió periodismo y comunicación en La Habana y Londres. Tiene un doctorado en sociología y desde el 2014 cubre temas cubanos para el Nuevo Herald y el Miami Herald. También report sobre la politica de Estados Unidos hacia América Latina. Su trabajo ha sido recocido con premios de Florida Society of Information Editors y Society for Skilled Journalists.