Guyana Defence Force Launches Board Of Inquiry Into Deadly Blast At Army Base

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, May 1, 2020 (CMC) – President, David Granger, expressed sadness over the death of three soldiers, yesterday, as it was disclosed that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has started a probe into the explosion that claimed their lives, earlier in the day.

Lance Corporal, Kevon Nicholson, 23; Lance Corporal, Tooney Peneux, 28; and Private, Shaqueel Deheart, 20, were killed, while Sergeant, Quincy Threlfall, 43, and Lance Corporal, Paul Peters, 29, were injured in the blast that occurred, around 9 a.m., at the Arms Store Complex at Camp Stephenson in Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

According to the GDF, the five were involved in the preparation of pyrotechnics for demolition, when the incident occurred.

“A Board of Inquiry into the circumstances, surrounding the incident, has been launched by the GDF,” said a government statement, issued last evening.

It added that President Granger had expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the relatives and friends of the dead soldiers.

He also wished the injured ranks a speedy recovery.

Sergeant Threlfall is currently receiving medical care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, while Lance Corporal Peters was treated at Camp Stephenson.

Earlier this year, a soldier lost his life, and several others were injured, in a fireworks explosion, while preparing to celebrate Guyana’s Jubilee Republic anniversary in February.