Three Guyana Defence Force ranks died after a bomb exploded at the Camp Stephenson base at Timehri this morning.

Dead is Lance Corporal Kevon Nicholson, 23, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Lance Corporal Tooney Peneux, 28, of Orealla Village, Corentyne River and Private Shaqueel Deheart, 20, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice.

Those injured are Sergeant Quincy Threlfall, 43, and Lance Corporal Paul Peters, 29.Threlfall is currently receiving medical care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) while Lance Corporal Peters was treated at Base Camp Stephenson.

The army said in a statement that the incident occurred around 0900hrs at the Arms store complex.

The GDF said that preliminary investigations revealed that the ranks were involved in the preparation of pyrotechnics for demolition when the explosion occurred.
A resident in the area told the Guyana Chronicle that she was asleep when she heard the explosion. Moments later ranks were seen running from the area while several high ranking officials of the army went to the base to investigate.

An investigation is in progress.

In February, several GDF ranks were injured after an explosion at army’s Coast Guard base at Ruimveldt.

The men were preparing pyrotechnics for Guyana’s 50th Republic celebrations when the incident occurred.Corporal Seon Ross succumbed to injuries he sustained during the explosion.