A 25-year-old fisherman from Port Mourant, Berbice, has died after sustaining severe injuries in a gas bottle explosion aboard a fishing vessel in Cayenne.
The deceased has been identified as Gangaram Iyarsammy, who succumbed to his injuries six days after the incident.
According to his mother, Koolcoomarie, Iyarsammy had been living and working in Cayenne but returned to Guyana in November to attend his sister’s wedding. She said he travelled back to Cayenne on January 20, 2026, to address issues related to a work permit.
Reports indicate that shortly after his arrival, Iyarsammy was cooking inside the fishing vessel when a gas bottle exploded. He reportedly jumped into the sea in an attempt to extinguish the flames and sustained burns to his face, chest and feet.
He was rushed to hospital where he received medical treatment and was placed on oxygen. His mother said his condition initially showed signs of improvement and the oxygen support was later removed. However, Iyarsammy subsequently suffered three heart attacks—one on Sunday and two on Monday morning—after which he was pronounced dead.
Koolcoomarie has raised questions surrounding the circumstances of the explosion and has suggested the possibility of foul play. She is calling on authorities in Cayenne to conduct a thorough investigation into her son’s death.
