Scene of the blaze at an oil storage facility in Cuba’s Matanzas Industrial Park. — VNA/VNS Photo

 HAVANA — Việt Nam’s Thai Binh Corporation has donated US$100,000 to help Cuba in the aftermaths of the massive blaze at an oil storage facility in Cuba’s Matanzas Industrial Park.

A cheque was presented by head representative of Thai Binh Corporation Tran Thien Minh to Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Déborah Rivas Saavedra. Minh said his company also planned to donate food and other necessities to families of victims.

Déborah expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnamese firm, saying it was very practical to Cuba at present.

She used the occasion to thank the Government and people of Việt Nam for standing by the side of Cuba.

Within a week, many Vietnamese organisations and people have raised over US$40,000 in fund for Cuba. Among them were the Vietnam Women’s Union, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, and the Vietnamese alumni club in Cuba, she said, noting that it once again reflected the strong solidarity and friendship between the two peoples.

Starting on August 15, the severe fire at Cuba’s largest oil storage facility has killed 16 people and injured 132 others. The blaze, the worst in Cuba’s history, was brought under control after five days. VNS