Update on the derailment of Train Extra 900 in Sancti Spíritus, in central Cuba.
Last Saturday, Extra train 900, which was transporting crude oil to the Sergio Soto refinery, suffered a derailment at 2:30 p.m. near kilometer 364.2 of the Central Line, in the province of Sancti Spíritus.
The quick intervention of the maintenance forces managed to control a small spill caused by the breakage of screws in the covers of the tank cars.
Mijail Bonachea Crespo, director of the Sergio Soto Refinery, reported to Radio Sancti Spíritus that immediate measures were taken to contain the spill, replacing the damaged screws and securing the tank covers. Thanks to these actions, it was confirmed that there have been no more oil leaks since the day of the incident.
For his part, José Lorenzo García, Director of the Provincial Directorate of Transportation, reported that, despite the efforts of more than 60 workers from the UEB Vías y Puentes, the affected road was not completely restored.
Therefore, the Zaza del Medio branch will be used as an alternative route for trains. In addition, the safe transfer of oil from the damaged tanks to others in optimal conditions has been planned during the early hours of this Monday.
Derailment in Sancti Spíritus: act of vandalism or sabotage?
The transportation director in the province ruled out any act of vandalism or sabotage as the cause of the incident, and it is confirmed that there is no loss of Cuban crude oil.
This Sunday, additional actions were scheduled that include specialized cutting and welding techniques to safely evacuate the product, carried out by an expert team from the capital.
According to the explanation offered, the evacuation of the product contained in the tank car requires a specialized procedure that involves hot cutting and welding, carried out by an expert team.
These specialists, from the country’s capital, come from Santiago de Cuba to start the work. Once the extraction of the product is complete, it will be transported to the refinery for processing.
