AN investigation has been launched into the industrial death of Chinese national, Lui Li, at the site of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project at Timehri.The Guyana Police Force, in a statement, said 23-year-old Li was doing soil testing yesterday in the Timehri Area, when he was trapped beneath a quantity of soil that caved in on him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, on the East Bank of Demerara.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has confirmed that there was an industrial death at the site. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in a statement on the tragic incident, said that at approximately 10:40 hrs yesterday, while working at the CJIA expansion site, a humus pit collapsed trapping two Chinese nationals – Engineers Zhang Yixun and Liu Li of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The ministry said rescue efforts were immediately activated.

Unfortunately, Mr. Li died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Mr. Yixun, understandably traumatised, is now a patient of the said medical institution.

Minister Patterson has asked that an investigation be launched into the incident immediately. It is understood that CHEC is responsible for the health and safety of its employees on the work site.
The Ministry and CJIA’s management extend their condolences to the family of Mr. Li.