Accident involving garbage truck triggers explosion in central Havana and sheds light on serious problems in waste management
A chain explosion shook a street in Central Havana this Thursday after a garbage truck accidentally severed some power lines while working. Cubanet reported that the incident occurred on San Miguel Street, between Rayos And Galianowhen the garbage truck damaged cables hidden under piles of garbage while removing accumulated garbage from the public road.
These wires belonged to a branch of the Metropolitan Bankwhich caused a short circuit that spread to the ATMs on the San Rafael BoulevardAs a result, the entire area, including the bank, was without electricity.
Havana is facing an alarming situation due to the enormous accumulation of garbage, aggravated by a lack of fuel, personnel and collection equipment. The city collects only 68% of the garbage generated, leaving the rest lying on the streets, creating breeding grounds for infections and increasing the risk of fire through the release of methane gas.
Only about 40% of this waste is recovered for recycling, leaving a significant amount of garbage in public spaces, further worsening the already serious epidemiological situation on the island due to the proliferation of rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes.
Unable to cope with this crisis, the Havana authorities have decided to hire a private company to improve garbage collection in some critical areas of the capital. Residents of neighborhoods such as Luyanowhere the situation is particularly bad, continue to wait for concrete solutions. They live amidst growing garbage, foul smells and unsanitary conditions, while the desperation of their neighbors increases.
Understanding Havana’s waste crisis
As Havana struggles with waste management issues, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to give a clearer picture of the situation.
What caused the explosion in central Havana?
The explosion was caused by a garbage truck cutting power lines hidden under piles of garbage, causing a short circuit.
How serious is the problem of garbage accumulation in Havana?
Havana collects only 68% of its garbage, leaving significant amounts of it on the streets. This situation is exacerbated by a lack of fuel, personnel and collection equipment.
What measures are being taken to address the waste crisis?
The authorities have commissioned a private company to improve garbage collection in critical areas, but many districts are still waiting for effective solutions.
