The body of Mr. Fu-jian Wei, a 39-year-old Chinese national, was recovered from the Demerara River at 9:55 am today, following a tragic incident on January 8, 2025. Mr. Wei fell overboard during rigging operations at Pier 34 of the New Demerara River Bridge project.
The recovery was executed by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, who subsequently handed the body over to the Guyana Police Force for further investigation.
The Honourable Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, extended heartfelt condolences to Mr. Wei’s family, friends, and colleagues on behalf of the Government of Guyana. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring workplace safety and urged the contractor, China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co. Limited, to implement enhanced safety measures for the remainder of the project.
The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, visited the New Demerara River Bridge site on January 9, 2025, to oversee search efforts and engage with the teams involved. Minister Benn conducted site visits between 3:00 am and 5:00 am, as well as from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, to ensure operations were progressing efficiently.
The search operation involved the coordinated efforts of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Marine Wing of the Guyana Police Force, and other relevant agencies. Minister Benn reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, while extending thoughts and prayers to Mr. Wei’s loved ones during this difficult time.
The Ministry of Labour, through its Occupational Safety and Health Department, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings reveal that Mr. Wei was working alone at approximately 8:30 pm, strapping materials onto a barge at Pier 34. He reportedly was not wearing a life jacket when he fell into the river.
Assistant Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Ms. Maxean Bess, conducted an initial site visit and collected statements as part of the ongoing investigation. The Ministry aims to determine the cause of the accident and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
The Honourable Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, expressed concern about the frequency of workplace accidents and reiterated the importance of adopting strict safety protocols to protect lives on job sites.
The tragic loss of Mr. Fu-jian Wei underscores the critical need for rigorous safety standards in the construction sector. The government, through its relevant ministries and agencies, remains committed to ensuring accountability and improved safety practices at the New Demerara River Bridge project and beyond. Further updates on the investigation and related developments will be provided as information becomes available.
