Thirteen Cuban soldiers have disappeared after an explosion at an arsenal in the eastern province of Holguin. The explosion, which occurred on the morning of January 7, rocked rural areas near Melones, approximately 724 km southeast of Havana.
Officials reported that the blast was triggered by a fire at a construction site. Among the missing are four officers and nine soldiers, according to the Cuban military.
Social media footage from January 8 showed plumes of black smoke and flames over a forested area near Melones. Local soldiers and police have secured the access route to the temporary location where rescue teams and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.
Following the explosion, 361 people were evacuated to safety.
