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The families of Kazim Ali Junior, Yusuf Henry and Fyzal Kurban have identified their bodies, 24 hours after they were extracted from a pipeline at Paria Fuels Limited.

The 4^th body, which remains stuck in the pipeline, is 48-year-old Rishie Nagessar.

The 4 men along with Gregory Boodram were carrying out maintenance work under water when tragedy struck last Friday afternoon.

Mr. Boodram was successfully pulled from the pipeline; his colleagues were not as fortunate.

Outside the Forensic Science Center yesterday, Yusuf Henry’s father Joseph said closure can now begin.

This is the 3^rd son he has lost in less than 3 months.

The wife of Dive Master, Faizal Kurban, Salisha Kurban, told reporters he was the perfect husband.

The 3^rd body recovered on Monday afternoon was Kazim Ali Jr.

Paria yesterday said efforts to recover the last body, that of Rishi Nagessar, are ongoing.

The men were attached to LMCS which was sub contracted by Paria Fuels Limited to carry out maintenance work on the under water pipeline.

The National Carnival Commission denies claims that any authorisation was granted for a “street parade” to be held during the Taste Of Carnival celebrations.

In a media release yesterday, the commission responded to social media rumors that Soca artiste Neil “Iwer” George was allowed to have a “street parade” at his concert on Monday at the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

The commission noted that no parade was permitted to take place, as it would qualify as a direct violation of the COVID-19 regulations.

It also warned the public that any unauthorised gatherings or parades would be dealt with by the authorities.

In the release the NCC said the commission seeks to make it clear to all members of the public that any attempt to organise, stage or facilitate such a parade anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago will, of course, result in the immediate mobilisation of the relevant detachments of our nation’s protective services, with a view to ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and protocols.

The NCC called on the public to be responsible and mindful of the notice when attending events.

The Oilfield Workers Trade Union is crying shame on the government for their processes and handling of the situation.

On Saturday night OWTU’s President Ancil Roget told the media proper protocols were not followed.

Mr. Roget was of the view that this could be the subject of a legal suit.

The men only had scuba tanks when they were pulled into the undersea pipeline.

A scuba diver can stay underwater for about an hour before running out of air but experts say the only way they could still be alive is if they encountered a pocket of breathable air as the space in the pipeline is toxic.

Attempts will begin today to flush out the bodies of the four underwater welders reported missing while on the job.

The men are Faizal Kurban, Rishie Nagassar, Yusuf Henry and Kazim Ali Junior.

Last Friday the 4, along with Christopher Boodram were sucked into a 36-inch pipeline at Paria Fuels.

Mr. Boodram was rescued and is now hospitalised.

Last night at a news conference Paria Fuels’ Chief Executive Officer Mustaq Mohammed said the 4 men are believed to have died.

Mr. Mohammed admitted it was not an easy call.

Mr. Mohammed said efforts are being made to recover the bodies so they can be handed over to their loved ones.

He could not say exactly where the men are located.

However the C.E.O. explained that a water displacement process is to be used to get the bodies out.

Earlier the families of the missing under water welders were demanding answers from Paria Fuels.

For a 3^rd day they were in the car park of the company awaiting word on their loved ones.

Family members felt the management of the company were involved in a cover-up.

At a news conference yesterday, chief whip and Pointe A Pierre MP, David Lee slammed the company for the way it has treated family members.

Company officials last night said counseling services have been offered to family members.

The Acting Police Commissioner denies political interference in the dismantling of SORT.

But discussions were held with the National Security Minister.

SORT is no longer functioning and has made way for the National Operational Task Force.

On the Morning Show on i95.5fm yesterday McDonald Jacob said investigations and recommendations, which followed, saw the need to abort SORT.

He said, as with other issues in the service, Minister Fitzgerald Hinds was apprised.

SORT was formed in 2018 under then Commissioner Gary Griffith.

Mr. Griffith yesterday said the dismantling of the team reeks.

But Acting Commissioner Jacob said there were some concerns about the operations of the team, and some of its members may have crossed the line.

Nevertheless Mr. Griffith said under his watch SORT was applauded for its outstanding work.

He said shutting down SORT means the criminal elements would now feel comfortable conducting their activities including murders and other violent crimes.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says she is not blaming the entire Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard for the killing of baby Yaelvis Santoyo Sarabia.

She says one member of the crew would have fired the bullet, which led to the 9-month-old’s death in local waters almost 2 weeks ago.

She believes that is the seaman who must take responsibility.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar has been severely criticised for initially likening the incident to murder while on a United National Congress platform last week.

Amongst her critics is, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Although the coast guard and the police service are probing the incident, last night on another UNC platform, Mrs. Persad Bissessar called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Venezuelan migrant child’s death.

She said there should be no cover-ups.

Nevertheless Mrs. Persad Bissessar said she has taken note of the deportation of the 35 witnesses to the incident.

Simeon Justin Clarke and Samuel Stewart will stand before a magistrate today in connection with the murder of security guard Andy Alberto Mecias Hosein.

Mr. Hosein was killed during the robbery at the Ketan Jewelry Store on High Street in San Fernando on February 5^th.

Twenty-three-year-old Mr. Clark of Kings Wharf, San Fernando was slapped with a charge of murder while 29-year-old Mr. Stewart is charged with the offences of receiving stolen items.

In addition Mr. Stewart was also indicted on charges of possession of marijuana and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

The 2 are to appear in court today.

Twenty-three-year-old Andy Hosein was shot when 4 men entered the jewelry store and announced a hold up.

He tried to run but was shot in the back.

Mr. Hosein collapsed and died on the pavement outside the store.

The men proceeded to smash the glass showcases, grabbed pieces of jewelry and ran.

Police held both Mr. Clarke and Mr. Stewart 3 days later.

The deaths of 2 suspects in police custody are linked to the dismantling of the Special Operations Unit of the police service.

Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob is quoted as saying, a firm executive decision was made to reorganise SORT due to the deaths of Andrew “Solo” Morris and Joel Belcon.

Mr. Morris and Mr. Belcon were deemed suspects in the kidnapping and death of 22-year-old court clerk Andrea Bharatt.

The court clerk disappeared on January 29^th, 2021 and her body was found in the Heights of Aripo on February 4^th of that year.

Both men died while in police custody after SORT arrested them on January 31^st, 2021.

Commissioner Jacob admitted to TV6 news that the serious complaints connected to the deaths of the 2 suspects were a factor for the change.  

Commissioner Jacob said the decision to form the NOTF was to avoid neglecting the work that SORT was doing.

He added that the organisational structure of the police service was changed so that NOTF will not be directly under the office of the CoP as was the case with the SORT and other units during the police former’s tenure.

The new task force will fall under the existing Inter Agency Task Force Tactical Support Apparatus within the police service.

Executive oversight will be in the hands of Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police Jackman.