The companions of the 16 who died in the fire at the supertanker base in this city lead the funeral services that take place today at the Matanzas Firefighters Museum.

Relatives and inhabitants of the western city came to the institution with flowers, photographs and signs of respect for those who lost their lives in the disaster, unprecedented on the island.

Floral offerings were sent from the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Raúl Castro; President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the National Assembly of People's Power and on behalf of the people of Cuba.

The funeral honors pay tribute to the 16 who died in the fire, caused by lightning on August 5 and which was extinguished five days later with the participation of Cuban, Mexican and Venezuelan forces and techniques.

According to the official program, in addition to the popular tribute, there will be an honor guard and a memorial ceremony in the afternoon. The accident caused 132 injuries, 18 of whom are still hospitalized, and extensive damage to the infrastructure of the supertanker base and surrounding communities.

Despite the use of the most advanced techniques, Cuba was unable to identify the remains of 14 of the victims due to the high temperatures recorded at the site, estimated at more than a thousand degrees Celsius.

Cuba declared official mourning this Thursday and Friday in tribute to the victims of the tragedy.

Tomadode Cuba Sí.