After independent media They reported that a military helicopter crashed during Raúl Castro’s visit to Santiago de Cubathe Castro authorities felt the need to speak out on the matter, this after several hours of remaining silent.
Through an official statement issued in Noticiero del Mediodía, the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) recognized that the incident occurred during the early hours of this Thursday, April 11, and that it caused the death of three soldiers.
The deceased were identified as Major Dairon González Espinosa, First Lieutenant Carlos Enrique Frómeta Rodríguez and Second Lieutenant Yunier Céspedes Escalona, who were inside the helicopter when it fell from a considerable height.
The statement notes that the FAR began a series of investigations to determine the exact causes of the accident, and that the relevant authorities were already in the process of collecting and analyzing data.
For his part, state journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso also shared a publication reporting on the accident, which remains shrouded in mystery.
“Due to a helicopter accident, Major Dairon González Espinosa, First Lieutenant Carlos Enrique Frómeta Rodríguez and Second Lieutenant Yunier Céspedes Escalona, members of the crew, died at the Santiago de Cuba International Airport. The incident occurred in the early hours of this Thursday,” the Facebook post reads.
It is rare for the Castro authorities to be so transparent about an accident like this, however, it is possible that they felt the need to comment on the matter due to the various independent media that had reported on the incident.
The first to report the accident was investigative journalist Luis Domínguez, who revealed that the MI-17 helicopter belonged to the second squadron of Camagüey UM-3685, and that it was in Santiago de Cuba as part of the military convoy that was to provide support during a visit by Raúl Castro to the territory.
Castro went to Santiago de Cuba to participate in the burial ceremony of combatants of the Third Eastern Front.
The event was also attended by the designated president Miguel Díaz-Canel, who confirmed his presence in the main municipality, but did not mention anything about the incident until several hours later.
To the family, companions and friends of Major Dairon González Espinosa, First Lieutenant Carlos Enrique Frómeta Rodríguez and Second Lieutenant Yunier Céspedes Escalona, we feel your pain as our own, for the loss of such valuable young combatants.
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) April 11, 2024
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