Victims of gas station explosion recovering

The persons hospitalised in Sunday night’s explosion at the Mobil Service Station on Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, are recovering, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond said.

The blast, which caused a vehicle to explode and inflicted extensive damage on the service station, killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and severely injured four others, including two children.

Minister Walrond told reporters at a press briefing that the injured were responding to treatment and showing encouraging signs.

“The adult is, first of all, they are all doing well, as can be expected. They are recovering. The two children have been able to start eating. They are still hospitalised, and they are going to be kept in the hospital for a few more days. The adult has a fracture and she is expected to be released in a day or two,” the minister said.

Police said the main suspect, Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, was arrested after a coordinated operation in which investigators followed leads and acted on community information.

The suspect has since confessed to the crime and is cooperating with investigators. Multiple other persons have been detained for questioning as part of a wider probe into possible gang links and the source of explosives.

Authorities are working with regional and international partners to verify identities and trace any cross-border connections.

At the press conference, Minister Walrond also addressed support for victims’ families, noting that the state will provide assistance.

“We have assured, first of all, little Soraya’s mother of government support in whatever regards. We will continue to support the families of the children who are hospitalised, as well as those affected, through the Ministry of Human Services and the Ministry of Education,” she said.