Managers of State Fuel Company Charged in Divers' Deaths - Trinidad

Key Details

• Incident: Deaths of four divers in 2022
• Location: Trinidad and Tobago
• Company: Paria Fuel Trading Co., a subsidiary of Trinidad Petroleum Holdings
• Legal Charges:
  • 15 charges related to the deaths
  • Violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act

Accused Individuals

• Two top managers of Paria Fuel Trading Co.
• Director of Land and Marine Contracting Services Ltd. (contracted for pipeline repair)
• Son of the director was among the deceased divers

Specific Allegations

• Failure to properly assess risks
• Failure to prepare and revise an emergency plan

Incident Description

• The divers were repairing a large pipeline and were sucked into it, resulting in their deaths.
• A government inquiry recommended corporate manslaughter charges due to lack of rescue attempts by the company.

Legal Proceedings

• Managers pleaded not guilty.
• A hearing is scheduled for mid-January.

Public Response

• Significant public anger in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Families of the victims demand compensation and have filed a negligence lawsuit.

Surviving Diver

• A fifth diver survived and provided a detailed account to investigators.

Related Legal Context

• Recommendations were made for corporate manslaughter charges by a government inquiry earlier in the year.

Summary

This case highlights serious allegations of negligence and violations of safety standards, provoking public outcry and legal action in Trinidad and Tobago. The hearing scheduled for January will further explore these charges against the involved parties, as the families of the victims seek justice and restitution.