Unbeknownst to the divers, differential pressure had been created when the pipe was cleared of oil nearly a month earlier. While the divers were removing an inflatable plug, they got sucked into a vortex that pulled them into the oil pipe.
Christopher Boodram [the only survivor] was able to escape by crawling down the pipe for around three hours.
Paria [company] admitted they had no rescue plan,
citing that they had 'no legal responsibility to rescue the men'
Further external attempts to save the men were reportedly
blocked by Paria with arguments being made that the divers could not be
rescued safely.
In November 2023, the Commission of Enquiry found that
"Paria's negligence could be characterised as gross negligence and
consequently criminal". They recommended that the Director of Public
Prosecutions "consider charging Paria with what is commonly known as
Corporate manslaughter."
In September 2024, charges were filed against the managers of Paria,
and Land and Marine Contracting Services Ltd., a company contracted
by Paria to repair the pipeline.