14 dead, at least 33 injured after trucks loaded with passengers collide in central Cuba

Central Cuba crash kills 14, injures at least 33

HAVANA —Fourteen people are dead and at least 33 hospitalized after two trucks loaded with passengers collided in the central Cuban province of Ciego de Avila.

The government news agency AIN says the crash occurred Monday on the Central Highway outside Baragua, 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of Havana.

Provincial deputy health director Enrique Cosio says 13 people were killed instantly and one died in the hospital. At least 33 people were injured.

AIN did not give details about how the trucks crashed and local authorities would not comment.

Public transportation is so scarce in most parts of Cuba that private trucks fill their beds with hitchhikers who have no other way to get around.