Deeraj Sanmogan, the man who sustained burns all over his body after he was trapped inside a fuel boat that exploded, continues to cling to life in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Sanmogan, 27, of 129 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara is currently having sleep induced, according to his wife, in the hopes that it will aid in his recovery.

Last Friday, while discharging fuel at the Texaco Wharf at Bartica, the fuel boat Mother Ganga exploded. A relative of Sanmogan said the man was in the cabin below and after the vessel exploded, the crew jumped overboard. It was while the boat was being drawn away from the wharf, which was at risk of burning, that person noticed Sanmogan jumping overboard. After the incident, Sanmogan was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital, where he was treated and admitted.

Meanwhile, Sanmogan’s mother, Aleen, told Stabroek News on Monday that when she and a friend went to inquire about her son’s NIS benefits, they were told that he did not contribute to the scheme. The woman said that contributions to the scheme were deducted from his salary.

When Stabroek News contacted the owner of the Mother Ganga, Rampersaud Sukhdeo enquiring about the allegation, he said “I can’t comment on that” and he hung up.

Sanmogan’s family, meanwhile, continues to hold on to hope that he is going to recover.