After this Thursday, April 11 sand recorded the fall of a military helicopter in the province of Santiago de Cuba and the Castro authorities confirmed the death of its three crew members, images of the accident began to emerge on social networks.
One of the first to share these images was the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada. The short video, taken from the parking lot of the Antonio Maceo Airport in Santiago de Cuba, shows the flames that arose due to the collapse of the aircraft.
Some people can be heard behind the camera, talking about an explosion that occurred after the impact. Their voices were distorted to avoid being recognized, since sharing this type of videos could generate reprisals from the Castro regime.
“CONFIRMED: Here are images of the Helicopter that crashed to the ground in the Protocol Area at the Antonio Maceo Airport in Santiago de Cuba,” indicated the reporter, before also sharing the official statement of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).
The incident reportedly occurred around 5:00 am on Thursday, when an MI-17 model helicopter number H-115 fell from a height of ten meters.
The authorities identified the deceased as Major Dairon González Espinosa; First Lieutenant Carlos Enrique Frómeta Rodríguez and Second Lieutenant Yunier Céspedes Escalona.
The official report indicates that the helicopter was carrying out a “mission in the interest of the Revolutionary Armed Forces” at the time it fell.
According to independent media, this mission would be to provide support in the area during Raúl Castro’s visit to the capital city, which began a day earlier as part of the burial ceremony of the remains of combatants of the Third Eastern Front.
The designated president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, who also attended the official event, used his social networks to send condolences to the families of the deceased through a brief message.
“We feel your pain as our own, for the loss of such valuable young combatants,” he wrote.
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
It is important to note that the state press maintained total silence for several hours, but began to echo the news after various independent media began to report it. After that, the Ministry of the FAR (Minfar) issued a statement read on the midday news.
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