The president of the UVM and member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ha Thi Nga, expressed her solidarity in relation to the event in a message to her Cuban counterpart, Teresa Amarelle, and also expressed her conviction that Cuba “will overcome the consequences of this disaster as soon as possible and will continue to build an increasingly developed country”.

The message from the Vietnam Women’s Union was added to the numerous and continuous displays of solidarity, support and sympathy towards the Cuban people and the authorities, made evident after learning of the tragic accident, which occurred earlier this month in the industrial zone in the province of Matanzas.

On August 5th, lightning struck one of the crude oil tanks at the supertanker base in the province, unleashing a large fire that was completely extinguished only a week later by joint efforts of Cuban firefighters and specialists from Mexico and Venezuela.

According to press reports, the partial balance of the largest industrial disaster in Cuba is two dead, 14 missing, 132 injured, 19 hospitalized and another 111 injured who have already been discharged, in addition to extensive material damage.

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