Police confirm identities of men killed by noxious fumes on cargo vessel

Four men have died following suspected chemical exposure aboard a cargo vessel docked at a wharf on Water Street, Georgetown.

The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Brandon Deonarine, a seaman of Support, East Bank Demerara; 57-year-old Nerwaine Persaud, a boat captain of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara; 33-year-old Dominic Alexis, a seaman of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara; and 25-year-old Getindra Sanchara, an engineer of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Police said 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, prompting a response from Emergency Medical Technicians and the Guyana Fire Service. The men were removed from the vessel and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where they were pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.

The bodies are currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations. Police said investigations are ongoing and further updates will be provided as the probe continues.