The situation in the western city of Matanzas continues to be today very complex as a result of an intense fire in two crude oil tanks at the industrial zone by the bay, while thousands of people are being evacuated to safe places.

Matanzas, Cuba.- This was reported by Cuban television, according to press reports, stating that a second tank of the supertanker base in the bay of Matanzas burst into flames after the first early last night due to lightning during a thunderstorm.

Intense flames and concentrated smoke are reported in the area, while firefighting teams from the city and other provinces and localities are arduously working to control the fire.

The authorities ordered the evacuation of the population near the area of disaster and since yesterday, lines of people with their belongings have been boarding means of transportation provided for them by the local government.

This is an unprecedented situation in this city, east of the Cuban capital, where President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, and other high-ranking government officials are present.

The fire started around 19:00, local time on Friday, when an electrical discharge during a storm hit the 52nd crude oil storage tank of the Matanzas Supertanker Base, before which members of the fire department, and the Ministries of the Interior and the Revolutionary Armed Forces were mobilized.

So far, 67 people have been injured, 15 in serious conditions; 17 firefighters are missing. (PL)