Alex Jesús González Beria, a 23-year-old Cuban national, tragically lost his life on Thursday when he was crushed beneath two shipping containers at the Muneshwers shipping terminal in Houston, East Bank Demerara, Guyana.
According to reports from News Source Guyana, initial investigations reveal that the construction worker, who lived in Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara, was in a trench within the terminal area when the fatal incident occurred.
Heavy machinery operators were apparently unaware of González Beria's presence, leading them to move and stack two sizable containers directly over the area where he was situated.
HGP Nightly News also reported that a "heavy machinery operator was unaware of his presence" and that "two large containers were subsequently moved and stacked in the area."
The young Cuban's body was discovered trapped beneath the containers.
Police investigators in Guyana arrived at the terminal to determine the details surrounding his untimely death. News Source noted that as their reporters reached the site around 10:00 a.m., they witnessed a police vehicle departing the premises.
The security manager at Muneshwers declined to comment to the media, and authorities have yet to release further details regarding the investigation.
Family and friends of González Beria gathered at the terminal seeking answers about the unfortunate event.
This incident adds to a series of tragic events involving Cubans in Guyana in recent months. In July, 25-year-old Yuviosmar Galindo Cardona died in a construction site accident in Providence after being struck on the head by a high-pressure hose.
A month earlier, two other Cubans lost their lives in a work-related accident, and Wilber Fonseca Fonseca, aged 53, was found dead by a roadside in Coldigen. In May, 23-year-old Dainier Vegas Infante was shot and killed at his workplace in Georgetown.
Guyana has become a popular destination for many Cubans seeking employment opportunities, particularly in the construction sector, amid the economic growth driven by oil exploration.
On August 19, President Irfaan Ali addressed Cubans looking to work in Guyana, urging them to enter the country legally and work under the same conditions as local employees.
Key Questions About Safety and Legal Work in Guyana
What are the safety regulations for construction workers in Guyana?
Guyana has safety regulations intended to protect construction workers, but enforcement can sometimes be inconsistent, leading to tragic accidents like this one.
Why are so many Cubans moving to Guyana for work?
Many Cubans are relocating to Guyana seeking job opportunities in sectors such as construction, driven by the country's economic growth related to oil exploration.
What did President Irfaan Ali say about Cuban workers in Guyana?
President Irfaan Ali urged Cubans interested in working in Guyana to enter the country legally and adhere to the same working conditions as local employees.