A tragic industrial accident at the Woodbridge Bay Port has claimed the life of a veteran stevedore, leaving fellow port workers shaken and the wider Dominican community mourning the loss.

The victim has been identified as Otis Francis, 47, of Tarish Pit, who died during cargo operations aboard the cargo vessel Tropic Opal in the early hours of Friday.

According to preliminary information from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), the fatal incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. while Francis was assisting with cargo loading operations at the busy Fond Colé port.

Investigators say Francis sustained fatal injuries after he was struck by a shipping container during the operation.

The incident brought work at the port to an abrupt halt as emergency personnel and police rushed to the scene. Fellow stevedores, many of whom had been working alongside Francis moments earlier, were left visibly shaken by the tragedy.

Officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force secured and processed the scene with assistance from the Crime Scene Unit as investigators began examining the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.

An on-call medical doctor later pronounced Francis dead at the scene.

His body was removed to the Lyndhurst Funeral Home, where it will remain pending a post-mortem examination.

The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has extended condolences to Francis’ family, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with the devastating loss.

“Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of the deceased during this difficult time,” the police said in a statement.

The incident has once again highlighted the inherent dangers faced by port workers, whose duties often involve operating in close proximity to heavy machinery, cranes and massive shipping containers.

Police have confirmed that investigations into the fatal industrial accident remain ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly how the incident occurred and whether any safety breaches contributed to the tragedy.

The death has cast a sombre mood over Dominica’s maritime community, where Francis was known among fellow stevedores, and has renewed calls for continued vigilance and strict adherence to workplace safety protocols during cargo operations.