Cuban Worker Killed in Wall Collapse at East Coast Demerara Construction Site
By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News.
Tragedy struck on Monday at a construction site along the East Coast of Demerara when a concrete wall collapsed, claiming the life of 28-year-old Cuban national, Dairobies Martinez. Martinez, a resident of Friendship, was reportedly pinned under the rubble while working on the construction of a new supermarket.
Bystanders told Nightly News that several Spanish and Chinese nationals were working at the site when the collapse occurred. Witnesses allege that the Chinese supervisors fled the scene shortly after the incident.
Walston Martins, Chairman of the Buxton-Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), visited the site and expressed frustration, stating that many projects carried out by Chinese contractors are subpar and often proceed without full knowledge or oversight from local authorities due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Documents revealed that the land on which the supermarket is being built is owned by Carlos Paul, a U.S.-based Guyanese, and was rented to Chinese nationals overseeing the project.
A cousin of Martinez, speaking in Spanish through a translator, confirmed that he had been working with the company for four months and was near the wall supported by scaffolding when it collapsed.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour, Manpower and Planning, K. McGriff, who visited the scene, described the incident as tragic. He stressed that investigations are ongoing and emphasized the need for strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent future fatalities.
Authorities are continuing their probe as Martinez’s family and community mourn his untimely death.
