By Sue-Ann Wayow
ALTHOUGH the underwater divers who tragically died after being stuck in a pipeline are being laid to rest, candlelight vigils continue in their memory and for justice.
Phillip Edward Alexander, executive director for the Citizens Union of Trinidad and Tobago, has been leading vigils in front of the Parliament in Port-of-Spain.
He told AZPNews.com that the public has been supporting the vigil that began on March 1 and will continue until March 9.
He said even police officers seemed to be supporting the cause as they ensure more than anything that persons gathered were kept safe.
Alexander said together with The Candlelight Movement, vigils will be held in Sangre Grande on Monday, Chaguanas on Tuesday and on Wednesday, the vigil will end with the lighting up of Palmiste Park in San Fernando.
“We are going to be lighting up the entire Palmiste Park and we will be making some announcements as to what we are going to do moving forward. We want to send a message that we want justice for these divers,” Alexander said.
Also on Monday, the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) will be hosting a vigil in front of the refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre where the families had previously gathered before the bodies of their loved ones were found.
On Sunday, Member of Parliament for Couva North Ravi Ratiram, Member of Parliament for Couva South Rudranath Indarsingh and MP for St Augustine Khadija Ameen attended a vigil at the home of Vanessa Kussie, the wife of Rishi Nagassar.
Nagassar’s body was the last to be recovered from the pipe at Berth 6, near the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery that is owned and operated by Paria Fuel Trading Company.
On Saturday, an emotional funeral service was held for Kazim Ali Jr, the first to take place following the fatal incident which also claimed the lives of Yusuff Henry, Fyzal Kurban and Nagassar.
On Monday, Kurban, the lead diver will be laid to rest on Monday morning in a boat-shaped casket.
One person, Christopher Boodram, was rescued.
A panel has been set up to review the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
