Cuba News : Massive fire at fuel depot due to lightning, 121 injured, 17 missing

A massive fire broke out after lightning struck a fuel depot in Cuba on Saturday. How fierce the fire was, it can be gauged from the fact that Cuba had to ask for help from other countries. Other countries also extended a helping hand. The fire broke out at a fuel depot in western Matanjas province. So far one person has been confirmed dead in this fire. While 121 have been injured and 17 people are missing. According to officials, 1900 people have been rescued from there. According to an update on the Cuban president's Twitter handle, five people were seriously injured, while three others are in critical condition and are hospitalized. Energy Minister Livan Aronte was also among the injured.

After seeking help from other countries, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Russia, Nicaragua, Argentina and Chile, who offered immediate help. Apart from this, America also offered Cuba's help.

The fire was so fierce that the whole sky turned yellow with flames. The depot is located on the outskirts of Matanjas, a city with a population of 140,000. Where a fire broke out after lightning struck a fuel tank on Friday. By the early hours of Saturday, the fire had spread to another tank, causing it to explode as well. After the explosion, the entire sky turned black and smoke spread all around. Helicopters had to struggle hard to control the fire. Ambulances, water tanks and cranes were present on the spot.

People living near the depot say that the explosion was very strong, they felt its tremors. A woman even ran away from her house with her children and went several kilometers away from the depot. She returned to her home after several hours.