Police searching for man believed to be behind deadly gas station explosion 

Police are searching for a man, believed to be Spanish-speaking, who allegedly left two suspicious bags at the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and King Streets, Lacytown, shortly before a powerful explosion killed a six-year-old girl and injured several others on Sunday night.

Police sources told the News Room that CCTV footage shows the suspect—wearing a blue jersey, black pants, a light green hat, and grey slippers—arriving at the fuel station around 18:15 hrs carrying two large black garbage bags.

He reportedly attempted to dump the bags in a bin but was stopped by a pump attendant.

The man then walked to the southwestern side of the compound, near cages used to store cooking gas cylinders, where he placed the bags on the ground before leaving south along King Street.

At approximately 19:36 hrs, an explosion erupted from the same area, damaging the fuel station building, several vehicles, and nearby structures.

Investigators discovered a two-foot-wide crater and fragments of black plastic and transparent tape, which have been sent to the Police Crime Laboratory for analysis.

The explosion resulted in the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne.

She was in a silver Toyota Premio (PTT 8275) occupied by Jenica Hooper, 27, her mother Yvonne Honas, 71, and two other children, Seddia McIntosh, 12, and Reshard Lord, 7.

Browne was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the others sustained injuries and remain hospitalized in stable condition.

Investigators are making efforts to locate the suspect.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has since directed that a full-scale investigation be launched into the explosion.