Mobil Service Station Explosion: What We Know Thus Far

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has confirmed that one paediatric patient was pronounced dead on arrival and four others remain admitted with serious injuries following an explosion at a Mobil Fuel Station on Regent and King Streets on Sunday evening around 7:36 p.m.

A total of eight patients, ranging from children to older adults, were rushed to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. Medical teams promptly assessed, resuscitated, and stabilised all incoming patients.

Six-year-old Soraya Bourne was tragically pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation following the explosion. Three other patients, who sustained minor injuries, were treated and discharged after evaluation.

Four individuals remain admitted for further care. Two of these are children who suffered serious injuries and underwent emergency surgeries; they are currently in recovery under close observation and are reported as critical but stable. The remaining two patients are adult females who sustained multiple soft tissue injuries to the face, head, neck, and thigh, with one also suffering a fractured leg. Both adults are stable and receiving continuous monitoring.

Specialists from General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, ENT, and Maxillofacial Surgery were mobilised immediately to provide comprehensive care.

The Guyana Police Force has launched a full investigation. Preliminary reports indicate a male, believed to be a Spanish-speaking foreign national, was seen with two black plastic bags at the station. He attempted to dispose of them in a garbage bin but was stopped by an attendant, then walked south along King Street. Moments later, a powerful explosion occurred near bottled cooking gas, damaging the station, four vehicles, and nearby buildings.

Taxi driver Andre McRae, who was in the gas station at the time of the incident, recalled the horrific incident.
“When the bomb fire off I was seated in my car. My car go up in the air like nearly 20 feet and come down back. The other car go up in the air like 10 [feet] and then pitch away to the back. And I get up, and I run and rescue the people them in the car whilst the building was fire at the same time. So, I take out the children them, bring them to front, call people. Calling for ambulance, when I look round nobody was out there. The gas station, everybody was empty. Everybody run out, left me alone. One of the attendant give me fire extinguisher and I went and out the gas station fire.”

Meanwhile, Soraya’s mother, Samantha Roach, has since issued a call for justice to be served.
“I need justice. It’s all I ask. For let deh give we justice. My daughter is only 6. Months from now she would’ve been 7. She all excited for she birthday. Me head hurting me I deh here.”

Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department have collected evidential items, including fragments of black plastic bags and adhesive tape, now sent for forensic analysis. CCTV footage has led the Guyana Police Force to issue a wanted bulletin for a person of interest in connection with the incident, wanted for terrorism.

President Irfaan Ali, on official duty in Saudi Arabia, has ordered a full-scale investigation, instructing that all resources be used and images of the suspect circulated to the public. Ministers Oneidge Walrond and Sonia Parah have visited the bereaved family, while Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony continues to monitor the injured.

An advanced team from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, including Indian forensic experts, has been deployed to assist with the investigation. The Guyana Police Force has pledged to pursue every lead to bring justice.