Fireworks explosion: GDF rank suffers over 90% burns to body; President visits scene

One of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks injured in Saturday’s explosion suffered burns to over 90% of his body, an army rank, who prefers to remain anonymous told the News Room.

The ranks are warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital and they are said to be in a stable condition.

The ranks received severe injuries following an explosion at the Coast Guard base in Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown while offloading fireworks from a truck onto a pontoon.

The GDF was in the process of preparing the fireworks to be used Saturday night for Guyana’s 50th Republic anniversary.

Residents of Ruimveldt told the media that two of the soldiers were thrown approximately 150 feet from the pontoon and noted that they heard about five explosions in quick succession.

After learning of the incident, Commander-in-Chief and President of Guyana, David Granger visited the scene Saturday but did not stop to offer any comments to the media.

Additionally, when contacted by the News Room, Chief-of-Staff of the GDF Patrick West refused to divulge any information on the incident but confirmed an explosion occurred.

He said a statement will be issued.