Suspected chemical inhalation cause of crewmen’s deaths – PM

 — Toxicology Results Pending

February 9 2026

The captain and three crewmen who died aboard the ill-fated cargo vessel Captain Virat may have succumbed to chemical inhalation, according to relatives who witnessed the post-mortem examinations of boat captain Nerwani Persaud and engineer Getindra Sanchara.

Family members told BIG Smith News Watch that while early findings point to possible chemical exposure, officials are awaiting toxicology results before confirming the definitive cause of death.

The four men — Nerwani Persaud, Getindra Sanchara, Dominic Alexis, and Brandon Deonarine — reportedly collapsed and died last Wednesday after entering a tank located in the engine room of the vessel, which was docked at a Georgetown wharf.

A relative of one of the victims revealed that a crewman had been sent to inspect the tank after it was noticed that the cargo boat had begun to tilt, raising concerns about the vessel’s stability.

Authorities continue to investigate the tragic incident as the maritime community awaits critical toxicology findings that could confirm what claimed the lives of the four crew members.