A deadly explosion at the Regent Street Mobil station in Georgetown, which left a six-year-old girl dead and four others injured is being investigated as a deliberate attack carried out by a man suspected to be a foreign national. Moments before the explosion, the suspect was seen entering the gas station carrying a black gym-type bag.

The explosion on Sunday night blew up a car at the gas station near a number of cooking gas cylinders. The impact of the explosion pitched the car into the air, killing one of its occupants, 6-year-old Saraya Bourne. The girl was with other relatives heading to the KFC outlet in the same gas station when the explosion occurred.

A pump attendant at the gas station has told investigators that before the explosion, she was approached by a Spanish speaking man who spoke little english.

She reported that the man was carrying what appeared to be a black gym-type bag and asked asked the woman whether he could throw the bag into the garbage receptacle near the fuel pumps at the gas station.

The pump attendant told the investigators that she objected and told the man he could not dump the bag there, and he left the area.

However, sources at nearby businesses and the fuel station explained to News Source that CCTV cameras captured the man walking out of the gas station, but placing the bag close to some cooking gas bottles to the side of the gas station. He was captured on camera walking off from the area and it was minutes later that the explosion rocked the station, bombing the car and pitching it into the air, before it came crashing back down, leaving the 6-year-old girl dead and her family members injured.

Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond convened a late night meeting with the top security officials in the country on Sunday night. The meeting continued into early Monday morning, with the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that a suspect was being actively pursued.

President Irfaan Ali, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, in an early morning statement said he has been briefed on the investigations. He said a full scale investigation is taking place and also indicated that a person-of-interest has been identified and is being pursued. The President said he has instructed that images of the person be released and circulated widely.

A number of Guyana’s foreign partners have also been briefed on the incident. The Sunday night incident comes seven months after an explosive device was thrown at the Police Outpost in East Ruimveldt, blowing a part the gate and a section of the fence.

Three Venezuelan suspects were identified as the persons behind that attack.

SEE POLICE STATEMENT

Police are investigating a major explosion that occurred at the Mobil Fuel Station located at Regent and King Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown, around 19:36hrs on Sunday October 26, 2025 which claimed the life of a child and left four others injured.

Preliminary investigations revealed that earlier in the evening, a male of mixed ethnicity, believed to be a foreign speaking foreign national, was seen at the location with two bulky black plastic garbage bags. He reportedly attempted to dispose of the bags in a garbage bin at the station but was prevented from doing so by an attendant. The individual subsequently left the area, heading south along King Street to the western side of the fuel station.

At approximately 19:36hrs, a powerful explosion was heard on the southwestern side of the compound, near the section where bottled cooking gas is stored. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles and nearby properties.

At the time of the explosion, motor car PTT 8275, a silver Toyota Premio, was in the compound with driver Jenica Hooper, 27 years, a teacher of Breeda Street, Werk-en-Rust; her mother, Yvonne Jonas, 71 years, a pensioner; her nieces, Soraya Bourne, 6 years (now deceased), and Seddia McIntosh, 12 years, a student; along with her nephew, Reshard Lord, 7 years, a pupil – all of the said address.

They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where Soraya Bourne was pronounced dead on arrival. The other victims were treated for injuries and remain in stable condition.

The explosion also damaged four other motor vehicles and caused minor structural damage to a nearby building.

Ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters led by senior officers processed the scene and collected several items of evidential value, including fragments of black plastic bags and adhesive tape, which have been sent for forensic analysis. CCTV footage has been obtained and is being reviewed to assist investigators.

The Commissioner of Police Mr. Clifton Hicken along with his Executive Leadership Team and the entire Guyana Police Force extend deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of young Soraya Bourne during this time of immense grief. The Force also wishes a speedy recovery to the injured victims and assures the public that every effort is being made to bring clarity and justice in this tragic matter.

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