Last Updated on Thursday, 5 February 2026, 1:06 by Written By Denis Chabrol
The bodies of four men were on Wednesday night removed from a split barge owned by Guyana Port Inc, a company that constructs and maintains vessels, after they inhaled a poisonous substance, according to investigators.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the men were inspecting a dry space within the engine room, located in the lower section of the vessel, when they were reportedly exposed to suspected noxious fumes and collapsed.
An alarm was raised by other crew members and emergency medical technicians, along with the Guyana Fire Service, responded to the scene,” the Guyana Police Force said.
Police identified the dead men as Brandon Deonarine, 18, a seaman of Support, East Bank Demerara; Nerwaine Persaud, 57, a boat captain of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara; Dominic Alexis, 33, a seaman of De Kendren, West Coast Demerara and Getindra Sanchara, 25, an engineer of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
Police said they were investigating an alleged incident which occurred at about 6:30 p.m. aboard the vessel.
The men were removed from the vessel and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where they were pronounced dead.
Their bodies are at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations.
Investigations are ongoing and a further update will be provided as the investigation progresses.
The men were reportedly trapped aboard the vessel named Captain Virat which was moored at the Courtney Benn wharf aback Weiting and Richter Ice House, Water Street.
Managing Director of Guyana Port Inc, Pritipaul Singh, Jr. told Demerara Waves Online News in a brief exclusive interview 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.
Mr Singh said he was very saddened by the incident. “It is absolutely unfortunate and it is the saddest thing. I am lost for words right now,” he said.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith told Demerara Waves Online News that his ministry was aware of a report and was “about to conduct an investigation.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to report promptly workplace incidents to the labour ministry.
