Piparo man missing on MV Sonia

Hosein was recorded by the Port Authority personnel as having boarded the boat at about 11 pm. Police yesterday stated Hosein did not disembark from the ferry after the three-hour journey to Trinidad. A police report stated Hosein may have been thrown overboard by someone while the vessel was sailing the high seas.

Yesterday, Hosein’s family said they were leaving the mystery of his disappearance in the hands of God and the police.

Hosein’s brother Faiz, 40, told Newsday he and his brother left Trinidad six weeks ago and began working at a construction site in Bon Accord, Tobago. Faiz said they left after their 74-year-old mother Isha, died from heart and kidney failure.

Faiz said they both made plans to return home last Sunday to attend a prayer service marking 40 days of their mother’s death. Faiz said he left Tobago on Saturday but Shuffrool insisted he leave on Friday.

“He asked to travel by himself because he wanted to reach home earlier than Saturday to help in the preparation for the 40-day prayers. He wanted to help with the cooking and preparations,” Faiz said.

Shuffrool’s co-worker Quin Williams of Mayo also booked a ticket to travel with Hosein. When Hosein did not turn up at home on Friday morning, relatives contacted Williams. “He told us that Shuffrool was on the boat,” Faiz said.

Faiz said that checks with the Port Authority revealed his brother had boarded the boat since his ticket stub was received at the entry point. However, Hosein did not disembark in Port of-Spain.

A report has since been lodged with the police and investigations are continuing. Hosein’s father Imam Hosein, said he hopes the police investigations would lead the family to his missing son.