Latest news with #Paria
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE PIPELINE: 'It took the people's breath away' - Top barrister remembers shocking moment oil company claimed failed efforts to rescue men trapped for days inside underwater pipe were 'excellent'
On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Pipeline podcast, reporter Isabelle Stanley interviews witnesses, diving experts, and lawyers involved in the official enquiry into the Caribbean diving disaster. In February 2022, five divers were sucked into a 30-inch pipe they were repairing off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Despite one of the divers, Christopher Boodram, escaping after an unimaginable three-hour ordeal, rescue attempts for the remaining four were repeatedly blocked, leaving them to die slowly in what became a national scandal. The pipe was managed by Paria, one arm of Trinidad's state-owned oil company. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Trinidad's then-Energy Minister Stuart Young launched an official enquiry, led by one of the UK's top international criminal barristers, Jerome Lynch KC. Speaking to the podcast, Lynch remembered his shock when Michael Wei, Paria's Technical Maintenance Manager who acted as Logistics Chief during the incident, sensationally claimed efforts to rescue the men were 'excellent'. Previous episodes heard how the oil company blocked a team of experienced volunteer divers, who were willing to risk their lives to save the men, from entering the pipe. The Enquiry established that Paria's Incident Commander, Collin Piper, obsessed about getting a camera into the pipe to assess the conditions inside and – despite claiming to take advice from expert divers on site – did not speak to one waiting professional until after 9.30pm, while another dive company waited for eight hours with no one from Paria speaking to them at all. Autopsies would later reveal that one of the four men trapped inside the pipe may have been alive for up to 39 hours. 'It took people's breath away', Lynch said on Wei's testimony. 'It was just an unbelievable moment. Somebody responsible for trying to rescue these men had completely failed to understand what they had achieved was essentially nothing. 'That moment told you everything you needed to know about the attitude the management of Paria had taken.' Now that proceedings have concluded, Stanley asked Lynch where he believes fault lies for the tragedy, three years after he oversaw the enquiry. 'It was the failure of a whole series of people', the barrister said. 'I do have a certain sympathy with an approach in which the company might have taken time to justify risking anybody going into that pipe when they didn't even know for a 100 percent that they were in there and that they were alive. 'But once Christopher came out of that pipe, two and a half hours or so later, they knew for sure that they were in the pipe and they knew for sure that they were alive.' 'I think Paria didn't expect anything like this to happen. They were completely paralysed and, in one sense, it was easier to do nothing than to risk anybody else's life. 'But there were those who were prepared to risk their lives to rescue them. I just don't get it – why wouldn't you have facilitated a way in which something could be done? 'To me, it is unforgivable that no real attempt was made to rescue those men.' Almost a year after the enquiry finished, Lynch produced a 380 page report into the disaster. He found that Paria had effectively prevented efforts to rescue the trapped divers, concluding that their action on that day could be characterised as gross negligence. Lynch urged Trinidad's Director of Public Prosecutions to consider charging Paria with corporate manslaughter.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE PIPELINE: The Coast Guard arrived with their guns and told us not to go inside - new Mail podcast explores how oil company blocked attempts to rescue men trapped inside underwater pipe
Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify On the latest episode of the Mail's Pipeline podcast, reporter Isabelle Stanley investigates why efforts to rescue five men trapped in an underwater oil pipe were thwarted. In February 2022, five divers were sucked into a 30-inch pipe they were repairing off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Despite one of the divers, Christopher Boodram, escaping after an unimaginable three-hour ordeal, rescue attempts for the remaining four were repeatedly blocked, leaving them to die slowly in what became a national scandal. Ronald Ramoutar, who was among the first on the scene, recounted his experience to Stanley on the six-part investigative podcast. Ramoutar was an experienced diver, who headed to the site of the accident as soon as he heard what had happened. Soon after arriving, he pulled Christopher Boodram out of the pipe, where he was waiting to be rescued, having fought his way back to the surface. The pipe was managed by Paria, one arm of Trinidad's state-owned oil company. Paria maintain it was too dangerous to send rescuers into the pipe to recover the trapped men. 'When we arrived at Berth 6, we were already in diving gear. They kept shouting at us – you do not have permission to enter the water', Ramoutar said. I went into the water anyway. Inside the pipe, I heard a voice calling – I climbed back out and saw Christopher. We took some rope, tied some loops in it, and managed to get him to climb up it like a ladder. That's how we got him out. 'We spoke to Christopher about what happened – he confirmed everyone was still alive and that they were in an air pocket.' Using a tapping system to communicate with the four divers still trapped underwater, Mr Ramoutar verified Christopher's story. Along with several other volunteer divers who had also arrived at the scene, Ramoutar devised a rescue plan. They decided that Michael Kurban, whose father was trapped inside the pipe would dive inside himself, to try and pull the others out. The tragedy sparked a national scandal in Trinidad, and billboards demanding justice still line street corners to this day. Listen here On his first attempt, Michael was forced to resurface, realising that his air hose, which he was breathing through, was not long enough to go around the bend in the U-shaped pipe. 'By the time Michael came up, Paria officials told us – the Coast Guard is coming to help', Ramoutar said. 'We were told to wait. We thought, 'Good – the Coast Guard has experienced divers.' They will assist us. We backed down and waited. 'They arrived and told us – we're not trained for this; we're not going down there. They wouldn't even go inside the chamber – the whole thing was a waste of time.' Just as they were preparing to try again on their own, the Coast Guard, under Paria's orders, blocked them from staging another rescue attempt. 'They told us we cannot go', Mr Ramoutar said. 'They each had an automatic weapon. 'They said in a firm voice more than once, don't go. They kept on saying it. We decided to back down.' Three days later, on Monday February 28th 2022, Paria began pumping out the bodies of the four divers from the pipe. Autopsies would later reveal that one of them may have been alive in those unimaginable conditions for up to 39 hours. To hear all the first-hand accounts from those involved in the desperate rescue effort, search for Pipeline now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Cause of death revealed for woman found in ‘killer' husband's garden after she vanished leaving work
GRIM 'MURDER' Cause of death revealed for woman found in 'killer' husband's garden after she vanished leaving work Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN discovered dead in a garden after she vanished leaving work suffered stab wounds, an inquest heard today. Paria Veisi, 37, was last seen on April 12 making her way out of her office building in Cardiff at around 3pm. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Paria Veisi was found dead after disappearing Credit: WNS 4 Husband Alireza Askari is charged with murder Credit: WNS The businesswoman's £40,000 Mercedes GLC 220 was later found parked on a residential street but there was no sign of Paria. Tragically, police confirmed her body had been found in a suburban garden that belonged to her estranged husband Alireza Askari. Askari, 41, has been charged with murder, preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and assaulting a person occasioning them actual bodily harm. An inquest heard today how Paria's provisional cause of death was given as stab wounds to the neck and upper chest. A full hearing will be carried out at South Wales Central Coroner's Court on a date to be set. Area coroner Patricia Morgan said: "On the basis of the evidence that has been set out to me this morning, I have reason to suspect that her death might be violent in nature. "I have been informed by South Wales Police that there is an ongoing investigation and on that basis, I suspend the inquest until I am informed the criminal proceedings reach their conclusion." A desperate hunt was launched for Paria after her loved ones reported her missing. Her disappearance was described as "totally out of character". Askari appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on April 22 alongside Maryam Delavary. Delavary, 48, is accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and conspiring to pervert the course of justice. A four-week trial is due to start in October. 4 Paria was last seen leaving work Credit: WNS
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Cause of death revealed for woman found in ‘killer' husband's garden after she vanished leaving work
A WOMAN discovered dead in a garden after she vanished leaving work suffered stab wounds, an inquest heard today. Paria Veisi, 37, was last seen on April 12 making her way out of her office building in Cardiff at around 3pm. Advertisement 4 Paria Veisi was found dead after disappearing Credit: WNS 4 Husband Alireza Askari is charged with murder Credit: WNS The businesswoman's £40,000 Mercedes GLC 220 was later found parked on a residential street but there was no sign of Paria. Tragically, police confirmed her body had been found in a suburban garden that belonged to her estranged husband Alireza Askari. Askari, 41, has been charged with murder, preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and assaulting a person occasioning them actual bodily harm. An inquest heard today how Paria's provisional cause of death was given as stab wounds to the neck and upper chest. Advertisement Read more news A full hearing will be carried out at South Wales Central Coroner's Court on a date to be set. Area coroner Patricia Morgan said: "On the basis of the evidence that has been set out to me this morning , I have reason to suspect that her death might be violent in nature. "I have been informed by South Wales Police that there is an ongoing investigation and on that basis, I suspend the inquest until I am informed the criminal proceedings reach their conclusion." A desperate hunt was launched for Paria after her loved ones reported her missing. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Her disappearance was described as "totally out of character". Askari appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on April 22 alongside Maryam Delavary. Delavary, 48, is accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and conspiring to pervert the course of justice. A four-week trial is due to start in October. Advertisement 4 Paria was last seen leaving work Credit: WNS 4 She died from multiple stab wounds
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Wales Online
Tears and hugs as hundreds remember 'caring, selfless' soul Paria Veisi after suspected murder
Tears and hugs as hundreds remember 'caring, selfless' soul Paria Veisi after suspected murder Paria Veisi, 31, was described as a 'vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her' and they struggled to make room for the numbers who wished to pay their respects A memorial service for Paria Veisi took place at the Norwegian Church (Image: John Myers ) They shared memories, they cried and hugged. There were so many of them, they had to make space in the venue for others to enter and pay their respects. Around a hundred mourners came together to remember the life of 31-year-old Paria Veisi, who lived in Cathays. She had been the subject of a missing persons appeal before police found her body at a residential property in Penylan on Saturday, April 19. A man has since been charged with her murder. The memorial service took place this evening, Wednesday, April 23, at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. It was organised by Paria's closest friends who described her as a "vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her". Article continues below Friends spoke about their recollections of Paria, listened to peaceful music played by two musicians, and ate traditional food served by some of Paria's friends. The beautiful Persian service signified a community in shock and mourning, in disbelief at what had happened. Some of Paria's friends shared fond memories of the 31-year-old in her native Persian, and emotional voice recordings from Paria's family, who live abroad, were also played to the congregation. The Norwegian church was decorated with beautiful white flowers, and big pictures of Paria adorned the miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here The room was decorated with flowers, candles and pictures of Paria (Image: John Myers ) Every seat inside the well-known church was taken, with the room full of men, women and children dressed in black and paying their respects. Predominantly they lived in Cardiff, but some came from London and Bristol. The church was so full, mourners were asked to move outside and give others the opportunity to come in. For those waiting outside, a speaker played the soothing music and heartfelt tributes those inside could hear. Those who gathered cried and hugged as they came to terms with the devastating loss. One of Paria's close friends, Sara Rezaei, paid a heartfelt tribute to her friend to WalesOnline before the service. Sara said: "Paria wasn't just someone in the headlines—she was a kind, caring, and vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her. She was caring, selfless and always ready to help. "We are devastated, heartbroken, and still in shock. But we are also standing together—for Paria, for justice, and for every voice that has been silenced. "As the world watches and asks questions, I ask that you don't reduce her to just a victim. Please remember her as the real person she was - full of love and life. This memorial is not just about mourning—it's about standing up, demanding accountability. "We will not stop until there is justice. For Paria. For her family. For all of us." A huge, ornate food display covered one wall of the church (Image: John Myers ) One young girl at the memorial service shared her memories of Paria's character with mourners. She said: "She always turned bad situations better." The young girl recalled a time she'd got back from a party she hadn't enjoyed and Paria immediately raised her spirits. "She cheered me up and danced the macarena with me for hours," she fondly recalled. The young mourner also spoke of how Paria would always be the one to jump into the sea with her when no-one else would. She added: "She always made me happy." The notice before the memorial read: "With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we invite you to a memorial gathering in honour of the kindness, selflessness, and the many smiles Paria Veisi shared throughout her life. Her memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her." "We warmly welcome you to join us in remembering and celebrating Paria's life. Your presence will be a great comfort to those mourning her loss and a tribute to the beautiful life she lived." Friends described Paria as a "kind, caring and vibrant soul" (Image: John Myers ) Article continues below On Tuesday, a 41-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman appeared in Cardiff Crown Court, where they were remanded in custody. Alireza Askari, 41, was charged with murder, preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Maryam Delavary, 48, from Australia Road, White City Estate, London, was charged with preventing a lawful and decent burial of a dead body and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
