Pipeline Podcast Summary: Episode 6 - "Landslide"

Release Date: June 19, 2025

Introduction

In "Landslide," the sixth episode of the Pipeline series by the Daily Mail, host Isabelle Stanley delves deeper into the tragic February 2022 incident where professional divers were sucked hundreds of feet into an oil pipe off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago's Caribbean sea. This episode uncovers the aftermath of the tragedy, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the victims' families, the accountability (or lack thereof) of Paria officials, and the political maneuvers surrounding the incident.

The Wealth Disparity Post-Tragedy

Isabelle Stanley begins by contrasting the luxurious lives of Paria executives with the dire circumstances of the divers' families. She drives through affluent areas like San Fernando and Port of Spain, revealing that despite the tragedy and the inquiry's findings pointing towards corporate manslaughter, Paria officials remain financially uncompromised.

• Colin Piper, the official who blocked rescue efforts, earns approximately £8,200 a month ([00:06]).
• Mushtaq Mohammed, Paria's general manager, takes home roughly £12,000 ([00:06]).

Impact on the Divers' Families

The episode shifts focus to the emotional and financial turmoil faced by the families of the fallen divers.

Salisha Kerben’s Story

Salisha Kerben, whose husband Faisal Kerben perished in the tragedy, shares her profound grief and the challenges her children face.

• "Everything just fell apart." ([03:03])
• Her son Michael, directly involved in the rescue attempt, grapples with intense guilt: "Every time he talks to his girlfriend about it, he gets emotional." ([04:04]).
• Salisha emphasizes the need for Michael to be remembered for who he was: "Safety first. And this country must not forget him." ([04:16]).

Afisha’s Trauma

Afisha, Yusuf's sister, recounts the horror of witnessing graphic videos of her brother’s death, which continue to haunt her.

• "I was trying to run from that image and still to date it is so fresh in my mind." ([06:37]).
• Afisha describes her mental anguish: "Have you ever looked at yourself anymore and don't even recognize yourself? That is what it felt like for me." ([06:37]).

Kaz’s Struggle for Justice

Kaz, the founder of LMCS and father of diver Kaz Jr., illustrates the compounded grief of losing his son while battling to hold Paria accountable.

• "I think that's helpful. Yeah, because you feel he's not gone." ([08:49]).
• Kaz questions the lack of accountability: "Why weren't Piper and Mohammed suspended during the investigation? What is being covered up?" ([09:09]).
• His desperation for acknowledgment from Paria officials: "I would like to see Mushtaq Piper own up, admit they were wrong." ([10:17]).

Government’s Inaction and Political Fallout

Despite the public outrage and the inquiry's findings, the Trinidad and Tobago government has yet to compensate the families of the divers. The ruling People's National Movement (PNM), led by Prime Minister Keith Rowley, faces increasing pressure as the families await ex gratia payments.

Attempts to Seek Accountability

Isabelle Stanley details her attempts to confront Prime Minister Rowley and Energy Minister Stuart Young about the lack of compensation.

• Stanley's confrontation: "Excuse me, Prime Minister, why haven't you compensated the PAR victims?" ([14:59]).
• Prime Minister Rowley avoids addressing the issue directly, leading to frustration among the families.

Opposition's Stance and Promises

The United National Congress (UNC), led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, emerges as a supporter of the victims' families, pledging to prioritize their compensation if elected.

• Kamla states: "When we form the government, we will find those who are responsible. They will be held accountable and they will be charged according to law." ([17:03]).
• She commits to immediate ex gratia payments: "We can give that help, and we commit as a party, we will do that from day one." ([18:06]).

Early Election Announcement and Political Maneuvering

Unexpectedly, Stuart Young calls a snap election earlier than anticipated, which analysts, including Duncan Ramlogan, speculate was an attempt to preempt the Pipeline podcast's exposure of governmental mismanagement.

• Ramlogan asserts: "They want to preempt this podcast series that will highlight the mismanagement..." ([20:51]).

Election Results and Continued Struggle

On April 28, the UNC wins a landslide victory, and Kamla Persad-Bissessar becomes the new Prime Minister. However, despite her promises, legal hurdles and political complications delay the compensation process.

• Kamla acknowledges the complexity: "There may be an appearance of a conflict of interest... we're looking at how best we can do it." ([26:11]).
• Political journalist Anna Ramdas comments on the slow progress: "There's no timeline on promises, so something can be promised and it will take years to be delivered." ([26:40]).

Personal Stories of Grief and Resilience

The episode intertwines the personal narratives of the affected families with the broader political context, illustrating the enduring pain and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Christopher Boodram’s Ongoing Battle

Christopher Boodram, the sole diver to survive the incident, continues to fight for justice while coping with his trauma.

• He expresses deep remorse: "I made promises that eventually couldn't keep... I just replay this in my mind and how what different could I have done so these people could have their loved ones with them?" ([31:03]).
• Christopher shares his struggle with daily emotions: "Sometimes I just get mad with anybody and everybody..." ([33:04]).
• He highlights the impact on his family: "Simple as my last daughter and my second daughter begging me to take them to Fun Splash Water Park..." ([33:54]).

Final Reflections

The episode concludes with a poignant visit to Christopher’s home, symbolizing the lingering scars of the tragedy on both individuals and the community. As Christopher grapples with his memories, the unresolved questions about accountability and compensation remain, underscoring the enduring legacy of the "Pipeline" tragedy.

Conclusion

"Landslide" poignantly captures the intersection of personal loss and political inertia, painting a comprehensive picture of the ongoing struggle for justice faced by the families of the divers. Through heartfelt interviews and incisive reporting, Isabelle Stanley underscores the urgent need for accountability and support, highlighting the human cost behind corporate and political failures.

Notable Quotes

• Salisha Kerben on her son's grief: "Very much so. Every time he will talk to his girlfriend about it and he will get emotional and he's getting emotional with me as well." ([04:04])
• Afisha on her trauma: "Have you ever looked at yourself anymore and don't even recognize yourself? That is what it felt like for me." ([06:37])
• Kaz on accountability: "Why weren't Piper and Mohammed suspended during the investigation? What is being covered up?" ([09:09])
• Kamla Persad-Bissessar on compensation: "We can give that help, and we commit as a party, we will do that from day one." ([18:06])
• Christopher Boodram on guilt: "I made promises that eventually couldn't keep... I just replay this in my mind and how what different could I have done so these people could have their loved ones with them?" ([31:03])

Contact and Support

For more information or to support the Pipeline series, listeners can reach out via pipeline@dailymail.com or support Christopher Boodram here.

Produced by Bella Soames, with additional reporting by Andrew Jehring. Sound Design by John Scott.