GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -Police are probing the circumstances that led to the deaths of four men, whose bodies were removed from a split barge on Wednesday night.
The barge is owned by Guyana Port Inc, a company that constructs and maintains vessels.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the men were inspecting a dry space within the engine room, located in the lower section of the vessel, “Captain Virat”, when they were reportedly exposed to suspected noxious fumes and collapsed.
“Other crew members raised an alarm, and emergency medical technicians, along with the Guyana Fire Service, responded to the scene,” the Guyana Police Force said.
Police have identified the dead men as seamen Dominic Alexis, 33, Brandon Deonarine, 18, Nerwaine Persaud, 57, a boat captain, and 25-year-old engineer, Getindra Sanchara.
Police said they were investigating an alleged incident that occurred aboard the vessel and that the bodies of the men had been transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, awaiting post-mortem examinations.
Managing director of Guyana Port Inc, Pritipaul Singh Jr., told the online publication Demerara Waves Online News that the men were employed by his company.
“Currently, we are just working along with the police investigations, and we are just awaiting the next steps right now,” he said, adding that he was very saddened by the incident.
“It is miserable, and it is the saddest thing. I am lost for words right now,” he said.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, said that his ministry was aware of the tragedy and will conduct an investigation.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to promptly report workplace incidents to the labour ministry.
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