Candlelight Vigils for Divers End

By Sue-Ann Wayow

THE nine-night vigil for the four underwater divers who lost their lives at sea came to an end on Wednesday with many showing up with their candles at Palmiste Park, San Fernando.

That vigil was organised by the executive director of the Citizens Union of Trinidad and Tobago (CUTT) Phillip Edward Alexander along with members of The Candlelight Movement.

It began in front of the Parliament building in Port-of-Spain on March 1.

Several other vigils have been taking place at different locations by different organisations and individuals as the tragedy has sent almost the entire nation in mourning with many calling for justice.

Yusuf Henry, Kazim Ali Jr, Fyzal Kurban and Rishi Nagessar went missing on  February 25 while working at Berth 6 on a sealine belonging to Paria Trading Fuel Company. Their bloated bodies were found days later. A Commission of Enquiry was announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to investigate the deaths following the collapse of a five-member investigate committee that was initially announced.

On Wednesday, persons of all ages turned up to light a candle along one of the park’s main walkways near to where a memorial has been set up for Andrea Bharatt who was murdered.

Tsian Guichard, of Marabella, told AZPNews.com that anybody could have died that day.

She said, “I came to show my support, to show some kind of solidarity because it (national issues) is getting worse. Sometimes I feel demotivated because I get the impression that a lot of people do not care, they just go on with their daily lives and they are not bothered until it affects them personally.”

She said she did not know the divers personally but know persons who were affiliated with them.

Recently Guichard spoke to a woman at a store.

“Her nephew was supposed to be on the job that they were on. He had some complications with his car and he could not go. In a way, you can say maybe God was with him, it was not his time but it was still an unfortunate situation. It could have been one of my relatives who died,” she said.

Alexander told AZPNews.com that although the vigil has ended, work will continue on behalf of the grieving family members.

He said, “After tonight, we plan to meet with all of civil society, all political parties, everyone who has a stake, everyone who has a voice, everyone who has an interest for a better Trinidad and Tobago.”

Alexander said it will be insisted that that incident not be handled the way others have been handled including the collapse of the roadway at Mosquito Creek, the 12-hour blackout and the entire situation with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the selection of a Commissioner of Police.

“Trinidad and Tobago has been abused by this government for too long, we are not accepting that anymore,” he said.