Army ranks injured in Coast Guard explosion recuperating

TIMES INT'L

The soldiers attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Artillery Unit who were injured in last Saturday’s fiery explosion at the Coast Guard Wharf are showing signs of improvement.
According to Regional Commander, Sub-Division A, Edgar Thomas, Staff Sergeant Otto Row and Corporal Isaiah Gordon are no longer in the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
“…today another one was released from the Burns Unit or special care. That is all the information that I have. In terms of the investigations, that is a special aid investigation, after that investigation, the matter will be handed over to the Police,” he said.
Also, it was reported that Corporal Gordon Cornette, one of the two soldiers who were severely burnt in the explosion, is recovering well.
One day after the explosion, Corporal Seon Rose succumbed to his injuries. The 32-year-old resident of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), had sustained third-degree burns about his body.
He reportedly suffered a heart attack and died while receiving medical attention on Sunday morning.
The explosion occurred at the GDF’s Coast Guard Headquarters, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. It was reported that 21 soldiers were offloading fireworks from a truck onto a pontoon at the Coast Guard Wharf when the explosives went off.
They were preparing for Saturday night’s fireworks display to usher in Guyana’s 50th Republic Day anniversary, which was subsequently called off.
The explosion caused some GDF ranks to jump into the Demerara River to avoid the blast.
Seven of the eight ranks hospitalised following the explosion are said to be in stable condition.
Meanwhile, Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West had indicated on Saturday that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) was ordered into the incident.
He had explained to reporters that the rehearsals for the fireworks display were conducted on Friday evening without any hiccups.

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