Dozens injured as lightning sets off Cuban oil tank

Lightning struck an oil storage tank in the Cuban city of Matanzas, sparking a fire that sparked four explosions and injured more than 50 people, authorities said.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines tweeted that firefighters and other experts were still working to put out a blaze at the Matanzas supertanker base that started during a thunderstorm on Friday night.

Cuba’s official news agency said the lightning strike set one tank on fire, which then spread to a second tank.

The accident comes as Cuba struggles with fuel shortages. There is no word yet on how much oil has burned or is at risk in the oil depot, which stores oil used to fuel electricity production.

Officials at Faustino Perez Hospital reported 52 injuries, according to the provincial government’s Facebook page.

One person is in an extremely critical condition, three are in critical condition and 10 are in serious condition, said hospital director Dr. Tammy Martinez.

“I was in the gym when I felt the first explosion. A plume of smoke and terrible flames rose from the sky,” said resident Adiel Gonzalez.

Authorities said the Dubrocq community closest to the fire had been evacuated, while Mr Gonzalez added that some had decided to leave the Versailles district, which is a little further from the oil depot.

There are many ambulances, police and fire engines, he said.

Matanzas, with approximately 140,000 inhabitants, is located 62 miles from Havana, on Matanzas Bay.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel went to the scene of the fire Saturday, officials said.