Investigative Journalists Reveal How Four Divers Died During Offshore Pipeline Maintenance in Trinidad and Tobago

A chilling story of human endurance, corporate negligence, and heartbreak has emerged from the waters off Trinidad and Tobago.

On February 25th, 2022, five professional divers were working to repair a leaking undersea oil pipeline when a sudden, catastrophic event turned their routine project into a nightmare.

The disaster, now vividly brought to life in the Daily Mail’s award-nominated podcast and new YouTube video series Pipeline, has captured global attention for its harrowing details and investigative depth.

The Final Day of Work That Ended in Disaster

The divers had spent weeks repairing the 30-inch pipeline, one of Paria Fuel Trading Company’s critical undersea conduits, responsible for transporting crude oil from offshore platforms.

Paria, a subsidiary of Trinidad’s state-owned oil company, contracted the team for what should have been a straightforward maintenance job.

But on the project’s final day, tragedy struck.

A sudden surge in the pipeline’s flow violently sucked the divers into the pipe itself, dragging them hundreds of feet beneath the sea.

The incident was instantaneous yet devastating, leaving four men trapped with no immediate way out.

A Fight for Survival and a Cry for Help

One diver, Christopher Boodram, displayed extraordinary courage and endurance.

Over three excruciating hours, he clawed his way back through the pipe to the surface.

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Once safe, he pleaded with Paria officials to mount a rescue for his colleagues — Kazim Ali Jr, Yusuf Henry, Fyzal Kurban, and Rishi Nagassar.

Tragically, those four men could not be saved.

Autopsy reports revealed that at least one diver may have remained alive for nearly 39 hours while trapped inside the pipe, intensifying the heartbreak and questions surrounding the response to the disaster.

Investigative Reporting Sheds Light on Failures

Isabelle Stanley, the investigative journalist behind the Pipeline podcast, has pieced together a detailed narrative of what went wrong.

The series combines survivor testimony, haunting GoPro audio from inside the pipe, and interviews with families left devastated by the incident.

Stanley’s investigation suggests that Paria officials may have blocked rescue attempts while also exposing lucrative contracts and politically sensitive connections that could have influenced the handling of the disaster.

The podcast portrays a disturbing mixture of human error, corporate bureaucracy, and potential negligence at the highest levels.

Recognition for the Podcast Investigation

The Pipeline series has earned critical acclaim, being shortlisted for both Investigation of the Year and News Podcast of the Year at the Press Awards.

Its new YouTube adaptation brings the story to life visually, allowing viewers to see, hear, and experience the tragedy with unprecedented immediacy.

Exclusive interviews with survivor Christopher Boodram and the bereaved families are at the heart of the series, highlighting their tireless quest for accountability and justice.

What’s Next?

The story is far from over. Public outcry in Trinidad and Tobago continues, with calls for a full inquiry into the disaster and the handling of rescue efforts.

Legal and regulatory scrutiny on Paria Fuel Trading Company may intensify, potentially leading to reforms in offshore pipeline safety protocols.

International attention on the tragedy also raises broader questions about offshore oil operations and corporate responsibility, making this not just a national, but a global concern.

Summary

The Daily Mail’s Pipeline podcast and video series recounts the 2022 undersea pipeline tragedy off Trinidad and Tobago, where five divers were trapped during maintenance work.

Christopher Boodram survived, but four others perished, some enduring hours trapped within the pipe.

The investigation highlights potential negligence and obstruction by Paria Fuel Trading Company, exposing political and corporate complexities surrounding the disaster.

The series has received award nominations and continues to drive calls for justice and systemic reform in offshore operations.