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The police have arrested three people, including a Venezuelan man, in connection with Sunday night’s gas station explosion, which resulted in the death of a six-year-old girl and injuries to several others. The arrests came hours after a wanted bulletin was issued for a Spanish-speaking man. A Guyana Police Force (GPF) press release said that acting on intelligence and CCTV analysis, investigators conducted a coordinated operation that led to a silver motor car with the licence number PSS 7874, which was used to transport one of the suspects. The vehicle was located and intercepted and the three individuals arrested. According to the police, information subsequently obtained provided key leads to investigators and the principal suspect, for whom the wanted bulletin was issued, is being actively sought. The man is wanted for terrorism which resulted in the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street on Sunday night. The Guyana Police Force is urging anyone who may have seen or interacted with this individual or who may have information on his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or call 911 immediately. Preliminary investigations had revealed that early Sunday evening, a man of mixed ethnicity, believed to be a Spanish-speaking foreign national, was seen at the location with two bulky black plastic garbage bags. He reportedly attempted to dispose of the bags in a garbage bin at the station but was prevented from doing so by an attendant. The individual subsequently left the area, heading south along King Street to the western side of the fuel station. Subsequently, there was a powerful explosion originating from the southwestern side of the compound, near where bottled cooking gas was stored. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles and nearby properties. At the time of the explosion, a silver Toyota Premio bearing the licence plate PTT 8275 was parked within the compound. Inside the vehicle were the driver, a 27-year-old teacher Jenica Hooper; her 71-year-old mother, Yvonne Jonas; her nieces, Bourne (deceased), and 12-year-old Seddia McIntosh; and her seven-year-old nephew, Reshard Lord, all of of Breda Street, Werk-en-Rust. Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to assess the scene of the explosion. The police said damage was observed to the Mobil minimart, storage bond, and four fuel pumps, as well as to several nearby buildings – including the KFC outlet, adjoining commercial establishments and portions of the High Court – consistent with shockwave impact from the blast. Experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory have collected samples, including plastic and metal fragments which are being analysed to determine their origin and evidential value. “Every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice and to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens,” the police said. The area continues to be an active crime scene with senior officials from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service maintaining a presence while investigations proceed. Members of the public are advised to avoid the vicinity and cooperate fully with officials as the investigation progresses. Initially thought to be a car explosion, the blast also damaged four other motor vehicles. Ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters led by senior officers had processed the scene and collected several items including fragments of black plastic and adhesive tape, which have been sent for forensic analysis. Traumatised Samantha Roach, the mother of six-year-old Soraya Bourne, in an interview with this newspaper explained that her daughter had gone with her niece to purchase KFC, while she remained at home. According to Roach, when she later visited the hospital, her daughter was seen with severe facial injuries. Her other relatives who were involved in the incident were also badly injured with broken limbs, and head and facial damage. “I need justice. Me child didn’t deserve a death like that,” she said. She revealed that Soraya, who would have soon turned seven, had been all excited for her birthday. An exhausted Roach said that she had to be rushed to the hospital for hypertension and had only returned home at 4 am yesterday. Ashana Cains, a cousin, reported that both McIntosh and Lord had successfully undergone surgeries. She explained that Lord’s surgery was to address a serious head injury, while McIntosh underwent facial surgery. Meanwhile, her grandmother, Yvonne Jonas sustained a broken leg, and Jenica Hooper was unable to hear and was traumatised. “We need justice,” Cains repeated. “Because we could have lost a whole family of five. They’re going to buy chicken and they’re not safe. We are not safe in this country…” Cains explained that when they went to the hospital on Sunday night, the doctors had requested information from Roach before disclosing that Bourne had succumbed. Seeing her daughter’s lifeless body, Cains said, Roach had collapsed and was left unattended as the security ordered them out of the reception area. She expressed dissatisfaction at the way the family was treated. “The mother fall down and faint away; no doctor come to our rescue. Nobody come to our rescue. All the security coming and saying, ‘come out from here, come out from there’. That’s not right. We lose a sibling there. We lose a family member. All the rest battling for their life. Anything could happen. My cousin that was driving the car, every time she’s jumping up, she’s jumping up, she can’t hear.” The family also alleged that the police refused to transport their grandmother to the hospital with her broken leg. They believed that swifter action would probably have saved Bourne’s life. “Everybody just taking out their phones, videoing, videoing, videoing. That child life could have been saved. She could be alive a day like today,” Cains posited. “Every time, I can’t even go on Facebook, because when I go on Facebook, I see she. I see she. I’m breaking down. When I’m watching her mother’s face, I seeing she. I’m breaking down.” The Georgetown Public Hospital said eight patients were received at the Accident and Emergency Department around 7:45 p.m on Sunday. According to the release, on arrival, all patients were promptly triaged, assessed, resuscitated, and stabilized. The relevant medical and surgical specialties were immediately engaged to ensure comprehensive care. Three patients were treated for minor injuries and subsequently discharged after evaluation, while four were admitted. Among them, two paediatric patients with serious injuries underwent emergency surgical procedures and are currently in the recovery room under close observation, the hospital said. Both patients are critical but stable. The two adults sustained multiple soft tissue injuries to the face, head, neck and thigh with one suffering a fracture to the leg. Both remain stable and are being closely monitored, it added. As part of the hospital’s standard trauma protocol for injuries that could result in latent internal injuries, CT scans were performed on all patients to guide further management. The release said the hospital’s Social Work Unit and Psychiatry Department are currently prepared to offer psychological counselling to the patients and their relatives. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, along with Chief Executive Officer (ag) Dr Navindranauth Rambaran and members of the senior nursing leadership team, visited the patients at approximately 7 am yesterday to assess their progress and extend support to their families. “The GPHC medical team continues to provide the highest standard of care to all affected patients, and psychosocial support services remain active for the families and survivors. The hospital extends sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and remains committed to supporting all those impacted by this tragic event. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” the release said. The Ministry of Home Affairs said a team from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, which included Indian forensic scientists specializing in fire and explosive scene investigations, was working along with local specialists to provide technical support. The release said that following their assessment, the team will advise on any additional resources or measures required to expedite the investigative process. Authorities have cordoned off the area surrounding the Mobil Service Station located at the corner of Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, to ensure public safety while emergency responders and forensic teams conduct their work as investigations are currently ongoing. The affected areas include King and Regent streets, as well as King and Charlotte streets. To ease vehicular movement, motorists are advised to use alternative routes. Those travelling north or southbound are encouraged to utilize Camp Street and Avenue of the Republic, while Wellington Street is recommended for southbound traffic only. East and westbound drivers are advised to take Brickdam, Robb Street, South Road, Church Street, or Hadfield Street. Unless there is business to be conducted within the affected area, the public is advised to avoid this vicinity and await further advisories on the reopening of the closed roads, the release said. Yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond convened a high-level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, Head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency Sheldon Howell, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and Deputy Commissioners of Operations and Administration Errol Watts and Ravindranauth Budhram. Walrond had visited the affected family on Sunday night and told them that the ministry stood ready to provide every possible support. “My heart goes out to the Bourne family during this unimaginably painful time. As a mother and as Minister of Home Affairs, I share in their grief,” the release quoted Walrond as saying. President Irfaan Ali said in a statement that he received comprehensive briefings on Sunday night and early yesterday morning regarding the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Ali, who is on official duty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said he directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident. The President stated that he had been briefed on the identification of an individual of interest connected to the ongoing investigation and has directed that images of the person be circulated widely to encourage public assistance to the Guyana Police Force. “I also extend my deepest sympathies to those affected and their families. I have spoken directly with the medical teams attending to the injured and have instructed that every form of support and care be provided to those under treatment,” the President said. A police release said: “The Commissioner of Police Mr Clifton Hicken along with his executive leadership team and the entire Guyana Police Force extend deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of young Soraya Bourne during this time of immense grief. The force also wishes a speedy recovery to the injured victims and assures the public that every effort is being made to bring justice in this tragic matter.” The owners of the Super Me clothing store at Lot 123-124 King and Regent streets said that extensive damage was discovered when they opened the establishment yesterday morning. From the outside, the shattered glass windows of the three-storey building were obvious. Inside, there was ceiling damage and dislodged lighting across all floors, especially the section facing King Street. A glass counter was completely destroyed, with fragments scattered throughout the store. According to the owners, the business typically operates on Sunday mornings and closes around 1 pm. The Guyana Fire Service on Sunday night said that on arrival at the gas station, firefighters observed extensive damage. One vehicle was completely destroyed, a black Fielder wagon had a shattered windshield, and the airbag of a black SUV was deployed. Firefighters responded promptly, carrying out firefighting, rescue, and recovery operations. An eyewitness, Andre McRae, told Stabroek News that he had just dropped off a passenger when a car pulled up beside his vehicle. The driver was a woman and he said he directed her on where to park and then sat down, his vehicle facing south. McRae said he then noticed steam emanating from the direction of the woman’s vehicle but could not confirm the source. The woman had exited the vehicle and was walking toward the nearby KFC. McRae said he assured her that her car was safe and would not be disturbed. As she neared the restaurant, he said, he saw thick, black smoke quickly rising and it saturated the area. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, McRae said, which lifted him into his car’s roof and slammed him down. Despite the impact, he said, he quickly got out of his car and rushed toward the woman’s vehicle. “… I run to the car that was damaged more than me, and I start take everybody out of the car and bring them to the front. And then the gas station exploded and I see a larger fire. I took two fire extinguisher and run in the fire and out it,” he said. Earlier this year, the police issued wanted bulletins for two men over several explosions in East Ruimveldt. The explosions, which occurred minutes apart in the early hours of May 17, raised fears of a coordinated attack on public infrastructure. The first blast occurred around 12:40 am at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, located at the intersection of Vlissengen Square and East Front Road. According to the GPF, a police officer on duty reported hearing two loud explosions, followed by debris falling on rooftops nearby. The force of the blast severely damaged the southern side of the outpost, blowing away a metal gate and destroying sections of the concrete wall. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators captured a bright flash and flames erupting from the rear of the building, consistent with an explosion. The street in front of the outpost also showed signs of damage, including gouged asphalt. Moments later, a second explosion occurred at the GPL Substation on Mandela Avenue.
