Cuban man crushed to death at ECD construction site

A 15-foot-high concrete fence wall collapsed on a private property along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Monday killing 28-year-old Cuban national, Dayrovis Martinez Mendoza. The incident occurred at about 11:30h.

According to police, the property had been leased on October 7, 2024, to Xie Guohui, a 49-year-old Chinese businessman, under a 40-year lease agreement with owner Carlos Paul. Guohui told investigators he planned to develop the site into a supermarket and residential quarters. Construction began two months ago under his direct supervision, with six Spanish-speaking labourers hired for the work.

Guohui was reportedly absent from the site at the time due to illness and only learned of the collapse after receiving a call around 11:50h.

Firefighters and police responded quickly, using specialised equipment to remove the rubble and recover Mendoza’s body. Authorities confirmed that no other workers were trapped. Following the incident, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, visited the site, accompanied by Assistant Chief Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer Roydon Croal and a technical team.
They conducted an inspection and initiated a review of safety standards at the property. Griffith expressed condolences to Mendoza’s family and emphasised the importance of strict workplace safety. Mendoza’s body was later removed to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination. Investigations remain ongoing, with occupational health and safety authorities expected to release a formal report.

Meanwhile, when Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the cousin-in-law of the now dead man explained that, according to her husband, they were all preparing to go out for lunch. As they were walking out, Mendoza and her husband were together, when Mendoza turned back briefly to retrieve his electric cycle. It was at that moment that the building collapsed, trapping him inside. She added that he had only been in Guyana for about four months, working on the property with her husband to build a better life. She confirmed that all of his family members had been notified of his death.