According to the information provided by the government, 13 Cuban soldiers were killed as a result of the explosion in the ammunition depot

The Cuban government said on Wednesday that 13 soldiers were killed in an explosion at a weapons depot in the east of the country a week ago.

The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba announced this statement “It was officially announced that 13 comrades died” on Wednesday.

The blast, which the ministry said was likely caused by a short circuit and power outage, occurred last Tuesday in Melones, about 450 miles east of the capital Havana. This led to the evacuation of more than 1,200 residents from the area.

Cuban military officials said access to the area remains impossible due to difficult terrain, toxic gases and severe structural damage.

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez said: “It is very painful to confirm the death of the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers who heroically faced the accident in the building where war materials were stored from the military district of Holguín.” disclosure on social media. “They died heroically and, like heroes, they deserve our deep respect and sympathy for their loved ones in the pain of loss.”

The government named all 13 soldiers as a social media post Wednesday.

According to Reuters news agency, 13 soldiers were initially declared missing informedand authorities had previously said the explosion was caused by a fire at a construction site.