A lightning strike killed three teenagers and injured a fourth girl in a tragic accident that occurred on Sunday, August 3, in the municipality of Manicaragua, Villa Clara province, in central Cuba. The incident, which has caused consternation both on the island and among the Cuban community abroad, once again highlights the vulnerability of the population to extreme weather events and the lack of preventive measures in rural areas.
According to official reports, the teenagers were outdoors when a thunderstorm struck. They sought shelter under a tree, unaware that this instinctive act would prove fatal. The lightning struck the group, killing Andy Alberto Turiño González and Analía García Rodríguez, both 13, and Jorge Alejandro de la Coba Monteagudo, 14, who lived in the United States and was on vacation on the island visiting relatives.
The only survivor was 14-year-old Diamelis Delgado Granados, who suffered injuries and was taken to the José Luis Miranda Children's Hospital in Santa Clara. She was admitted conscious and, according to the latest medical report, her condition is stable and she is progressing well.
Dismay in the community and in exile
The children's deaths have caused deep sorrow in Manicaragua, where neighbors rallied around the families in their grief. "They were good, calm boys, with their whole lives ahead of them," one neighbor told independent media. The news also resonated on social media, where Cuban users inside and outside the country expressed their solidarity and denounced the lack of effective emergency protocols in rural areas.
The death of Jorge Alejandro, who lived in the United States, has been especially painful for his family in exile. Several close friends shared messages on social media calling for justice and drawing attention to the dangers young Cubans face in a country with limited infrastructure for protecting against natural disasters.
Cuba, among the countries with the most deaths from lightning
Cuba has one of the highest lightning mortality rates on the continent. According to a study by the Institute of Meteorology (Insmet), between 1987 and 2017, 1.742 deaths were recorded from this cause in the country, even exceeding deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes, or coastal flooding. The annual average is 54 deaths, and the most critical months are July and August, when electrical activity increases due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity.
Lightning strikes are especially deadly in rural areas, where many homes lack lightning rods and people resort to improvised shelters, such as trees, doorways, or fragile structures. Authorities have repeatedly issued alerts with basic recommendations—avoid open areas, avoid sheltering under trees, and stay away from bodies of water—but these warnings often fail to reach all sectors of the population.
Structural deficiencies and poor prevention
The case in Manicaragua highlights not only the danger of thunderstorms, but also the limitations of the Cuban system for preventing these types of tragedies. Despite available technical knowledge, access to timely information, community education in risk management, and physical protection against storms remain insufficient, especially outside of large cities.
International organizations and disaster management experts have previously highlighted the need for the Cuban government to strengthen early warning systems and meteorological safety infrastructure. Educational campaigns are also urgently needed, especially for children and adolescents, who are often unaware of the risks associated with events such as thunderstorms.
A tragedy that could have been avoided
The deaths of Andy, Analía, and Jorge Alejandro leave an open wound in their families and a lingering question for Cuban society: how can we prevent tragedies like this from happening again? Although lightning is an inevitable natural phenomenon, deaths from its impact can be prevented with basic awareness, education, and protection measures.
For now, the country mourns the loss of three young people whose lives were suddenly and cruelly cut short. The surviving child is recovering, but the memory of that cloudy Sunday will forever mark those close to them. Amidst the grief, the community is calling for answers and concrete actions so that never again does a reflex action like seeking shelter under a tree end in tragedy.
Authorities recommend some tips for protecting yourself during a thunderstorm, especially useful in prone areas like Cuba, where these phenomena are frequent and deadly:
Before the storm
- Follow the weather forecasts
Stay informed through radio, television, social media, or weather apps. If thunderstorms are forecast, modify your plans and seek shelter in advance. - Avoid outdoor activities
Suspend excursions, hikes, field work, sports, or swimming in rivers, lakes, or pools if there is a storm warning.
During the storm
- Don't seek shelter under trees
Although it's a common reaction, trees are attractive spots for lightning. Taking shelter underneath them is very dangerous. - Stay away from metal objects
Bicycles, wire fences, tools, rods, poles and fences can conduct electricity. - Avoid water
Don't swim, take showers, or manipulate faucets. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. - Unplug appliances
Televisions, computers, chargers, and other appliances should be unplugged to avoid damage from electrical shock. - Stay indoors or in a locked car
Buildings with lightning rods and vehicles with metal roofs are safe places. Do not touch metal doors or surfaces. - Stay away from windows and doors
Also avoid using landlines, plugged-in computers, or any plugged-in devices.
In case of emergency
- If someone is struck by lightning, call emergency services.
Even if the person doesn't have visible burns, they could have serious internal injuries. There's no risk of transmitting electricity; it's safe to touch. - If you are in an open field and cannot take shelter
Squat down with your feet together and your head between your legs. Don't lie on the floor. Try to stay away from tall objects and other people.
