One of the most painful events that Cuba has faced in recent months is, without a doubt, the fatal fire which took place n Matanzas. Several workers and firefighters lost their lives during the incident which shocked the entire country.

On 17 August, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced two days of national mourning throughout Cuba as a “tribute to the valuable lives that were lost in the confrontation with the fire in Supertankers of Matanzas."

The mourning period began at 6am on Thursday 18 August until midnight on Friday 19 August. Saturday, August 20.During this period the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country.

On Friday 19 August a ceremony to honor the dead will take place at the Friefighters' Museum in Matanzas where the local population will also be also be able to pay their respects between 10am-5pm.

At 6pm, the funeral procession will move to the cemetary for private family burials. Sixteen firefighters died fighting the blaze, two in hospital and 14 at the site. The bodies of the fourteen have only recently been recovered as the fire prevented them from being found and identified.