The Government of Cuba has confirmed that the death toll from Tropical Storm Oscar has risen to eight. In addition, authorities are carrying out a search for two people who are missing, according to state media reported this Wednesday.
This is the first official number of missing people, more than a week after Storm Oscar passed through the east of the country.
Tropical Storm Oscar
The two missing people are a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, both from San Antonio del Sur, in Guantánamo, according to a statement from the Civil Defense General Staff.
This Tuesday, for the first time since the meteorological disaster occurred, some international press outlets accredited in Cuba, including EFE, managed to access San Antonio del Sur.
The resident coordinator of the United Nations in Cuba traveled with them, Francisco Pichonwho indicated that he will present a “plan of action” prepared by the agencies, funds and programs of the organization with the “in order to join the recovery efforts of concentrated national authorities” in support of the victims.
The intense rains that accompanied Óscar and those that continued to affect the region in recent days caused rivers to swell, landslides from the mountains that caused major floods and the isolation of communities that lifeguards have not been able to reach due to the state of the tracks.
Seven of the deceased were located precisely in that town while the other deceased was located in Imías.
The Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canelvisited Imías this Wednesday to assess the damage after the passage of Óscar.
Oscar is the first meteor which directly impacted Cuba in the current cyclone season, entered Cuba on Sunday the 21st as hcategory 1 hurricane (maximum of 5) on the Saffir-Simpson scale – very close to the coastal city of Baracoa, in Guantánamo (east), and became a storm before leaving the next day through an area near Gibara, in the province of Holguín (northeast).
(EFE)
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**Interview with Maria Gonzalez, Civil Defense Official in Cuba, on Tropical Storm Oscar**
**Editor (E):** Thank you for joining us, Maria. Can you provide a brief update on the situation following Tropical Storm Oscar?
**Maria Gonzalez (MG):** Thank you for having me. As of now, we have confirmed eight fatalities due to Tropical Storm Oscar. Additionally, we are actively searching for two individuals who went missing during the storm.
**E:** That’s tragic news. Can you tell us more about the missing individuals and the efforts being made to locate them?
**MG:** Certainly. The missing persons are a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman from San Antonio del Sur in Guantánamo. Our teams have been mobilized to search the area thoroughly, using resources from the Civil Defense to support locals in the search and rescue efforts.
**E:** It’s been over a week since the storm passed. What are some of the challenges authorities are facing in the search for these individuals?
**MG:** One of the significant challenges is the damage left by the storm itself, which has affected the infrastructure and accessibility in certain regions. Additionally, the weather conditions can be unpredictable, making it more difficult for search teams.
**E:** Given the recent events, how is the government planning to assist the families affected by the storm?
**MG:** The government is committed to providing support to the families of the victims and those impacted by the storm. This includes both immediate assistance with shelter and necessities, as well as longer-term recovery plans to help rebuild homes and communities.
**E:** Thank you for sharing this vital information with us, Maria. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by Tropical Storm Oscar.
**MG:** Thank you for your support. We will continue our efforts to bring closure to the families involved.
