President David Granger and the Government have extended deepest sympathy to the families and other relatives of the 16 prisoners, who perished during a riot at the Georgetown Prison today.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that the President is deeply saddened at the loss of life and has ordered the immediate establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate the circumstances and causes of this tragedy to ensure that there is never a recurrence.

“The President assures the family members of the deceased and injured that everything will be done to ensure that there is a full and complete investigation,” the release noted.

President Granger, at an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), which he called this afternoon, instructed Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan to set up the three-member Commission, which will not only investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, but will also make recommendations to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents.

The names of the members of this Commission are expected to be made public by tomorrow. The President has also mandated that every effort be made to ensure that the situation is brought under immediate control.