Cuban authorities say a fire set off by a lightning strike at an oil storage facility is raging uncontrolled in the city of Matanzas, where four explosions and flames injured nearly 80 people and left 17 firefighters missing.
A fire set off by a lightning strike at an oil storage facility raged uncontrolled Saturday in the city of Matanzas, where four explosions and flames injured nearly 80 people, Cuban authorities said. Seventeen firefighters are missing.
The official Cuban News Agency said lightning hit one tank, starting a fire, and the blaze later spread to a second tank. As military helicopters flew overhead dropping water on the blaze, dense column of black smoke billowed from the facility and spread westward more than 100 kilometers toward Havana.
The Facebook page of the provincial government of Matanzas said the number of injured had reached 77, while 17 people were missing. The Presidency of the Republic said the 17 were"firefighters who were in the nearest area trying to prevent the spread." The incident comes as Cuba struggles with fuel shortages. There was no immediate word on how much oil had burned or was in danger at the storage facility, which has eight giant tanks that hold oil used to fuel electricity generating plants.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hays County Most Wanted fugitive arrested, charged with 17 counts of vehicle burglaryJeremy Rasco, 23, was wanted on 17 counts of Vehicle Burglary, four counts or Credit Card Abuse and two counts of Theft of Firearm.
Read more »
Texas woman charged with holding 17 undocumented immigrants hostageA Texas woman has been accused of holding over a dozen undocumented immigrants hostage in her home, threatening to deprive them of food and water and refusing to let them leave until they 'worked off' thousands of dollars of 'debt.'
Read more »
Boy, 17, charged in man's Logan Square shooting deathThe man killed was struck in the face and taken to a hospital in critical condition, officials said. He died a week later.
Read more »
Lightning sets off fire at Cuban oil tank farm, dozens hurtCuban authorities say lightning struck a crude oil storage tank in the city of Matanzas, causing a fire that led to four explosions which injured nearly 80 people and left 17 firefighters missing
Read more »
Mark Cuban says he isn't bringing Jurassic Park-like dinosaurs to a Texas ghost townMark Cuban said he is not turning Texas a ghost town he purchased last year into Jurassic...
Read more »
Oakland high school teacher charged with molesting student in 2004, remained with school for 17 years after alleged crimes despite warningsJeremy Adams, 46, was charged with committing a lewd act against a then-14-year-old girl.
Read more »