A tragic industrial incident at Georgetown’s Courtney Benn wharf has resulted in the deaths of four maritime workers, casting a somber shadow over Guyana’s port operations. The fatalities occurred aboard the MV Captain Virat, a split barge owned by vessel construction firm Guyana Port Inc., on Wednesday evening around 6:30 p.m.
According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, preliminary investigations indicate the victims were conducting routine inspection work within a dry compartment of the engine room when they were suddenly overcome by suspected noxious fumes. The confined space, located in the lower section of the vessel, apparently contained hazardous atmospheric conditions that proved immediately fatal.
The deceased have been identified as Brandon Deonarine (18), a seaman from Support, East Bank Demerara; Nerwaine Persaud (57), a boat captain from Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara; Dominic Alexis (33), a seaman from De Kendren, West Coast Demerara; and Getindra Sanchara (25), an engineer from Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
Emergency protocols were activated when fellow crew members raised the alarm, prompting response teams from the Guyana Fire Service and emergency medical technicians to rush to the scene. Despite their efforts, all four men were pronounced dead after being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Their bodies currently await post-mortem examinations at the hospital’s mortuary.
Pritipaul Singh, Jr., Managing Director of Guyana Port Inc., confirmed in an exclusive interview with Demerara Waves Online News that all four victims were company employees. Express profound grief, Singh stated, ‘It is absolutely unfortunate and it is the saddest thing. I am lost for words right now.’ The company has pledged full cooperation with ongoing police investigations.
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, under Minister Keoma Griffith, has been notified of the incident and is preparing to launch its own investigation in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which mandates prompt employer reporting of workplace incidents.