INVESTIGATORS with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have arrested three individuals, including a Venezuelan national, in connection with the explosion on Sunday evening at the Mobil Fuel Station (Regent and King Streets) in Georgetown that claimed the life of a child and injured four others.
The explosion, which occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. in the Regent and King Streets area, tore through a parked vehicle inside the fuel station compound, killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and caused mass damage, including to the station’s minimart, the adjoining storage bond, four fuel pumps and nearby buildings including a franchise KFC outlet and parts of the High Court building.
In video footage obtained by investigators, a man, believed to be a Spanish-speaking foreign national, was seen placing a bag near the area where bottled cooking gas is stored at the station moments before the blast.
INVESTIGATION PROGRESS
According to a GPF statement, intelligence and CCTV analysis led to the interception of a silver motor car (license plate PSS 7874) used to transport one of the suspects. The operation resulted in the arrest of the three suspects, who are now assisting with the investigation. The principal suspect remains at large; a Wanted Bulletin has been issued for his capture.
Forensic teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory Guyana have collected plastic and metal fragments from the scene, which are undergoing analysis to determine their origin and evidential value.
This latest attack follows earlier explosions in Georgetown in 2025, prompting concerns of a possible coordinated campaign of violence.
In May this year, the GPF investigated blasts at the East Ruimveldt police out-post and a sub-station of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) at Mandela Avenue; the incidents were suspected of being linked.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, currently abroad, has ordered a full-scale investigation and directed that every available resource be mobilised to determine the cause and bring those responsible to justice.
The GPF is urging anyone who may have seen or interacted with the suspect, or who may have information on his whereabouts, to contact the nearest police station or call 911 immediately. The area remains cordoned off while investigators continue to conduct structural and explosive-forensics assessments.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation advances.