“I just want justice” – mother of 6-year-old killed in Mobil Service Station explosion

– Govt to offset funeral, other expenses

For Samantha Roach, life has come to a heartbreaking halt as her six-year-old daughter, Soraya Bourne, lost her life in the explosion at the Mobil Service Station on Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, on Sunday evening and all she now wants is justice.

Speaking to reporters, on Monday at her Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown residence, the devastating mother expressed grief and plea for accountability to find the person responsible for the deadly incident.
“I need justice. I need some kind of justice for my daughter. I would like the police to conduct a swift investigation into this [alleged] Spanish man and see it through until justice is served. A child doesn’t deserve a death like that. It’s an unbearable burden,” she said with her eyes drowned in sorrow.
Traumatized by reports about the condition of the other persons involved in the explosion, she revealed the graphic scene at the hospital when she arrived.
“[My daughter’s eyes were] pulping out, her face was damage. The rest of the family… some of their brains are showing, others have holes in their faces. I really can’t explain it. I can’t. But I need justice. That’s all I ask. For them to give me justice.”
The tragedy is made even more depressing as Soraya’s seventh birthday was only two weeks away.
The grieving mother shared that before the accident, her daughter had been eagerly looking forward to celebrating her special day. She further explained that on the night of the tragedy, her mother along with sister took the children to purchase KFC – something they normally do every Sunday.
She also recalled her last moments with her now deceased daughter. “She went and buy a drink for her father and come running back into the yard, so I asked why you running… not knowing she see the car light and she running to go with them…she was all excited to go with them.”
However, the explosion also left several others injured, including Sadiya McClintock, Rashad Lord, Genica Hooper, and Yvonne Jonas.
Moreover, Education Minister Sonia Parag visited the family and reaffirmed that President Dr Irfaan Ali, along with Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond and other law enforcement agencies, are working diligently to apprehend the main suspect and conduct a thorough investigation.
“This tragedy has been felt by all of Guyana,” Minister Parag told the family. “You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Minister Parag also committed the Ministry of Education’s full support to the affected families. The Ministry of Health is also providing the necessary medical assistance to ensure all injured persons receive proper care. Parag was accompanied on her visit by Ms. Mischka White-Griffith, Chief Planning Officer of the Education Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry announced it will cover funeral and wake expenses, while the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) will conduct daily hospital visits to monitor the condition of the injured children. Counseling and psychological support will also be provided to all affected, particularly the two hospitalized children, for as long as necessary.
On this note, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) Levine Gouveia and Manager of the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) Jashudra Seeram-Lackhan visited the family to offer ongoing assistance.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of six-year-old Soraya Bourne, who lost her life in the tragic explosion on Regent Street. Our prayers are with them, and with the children and adults who remain in critical condition at the hospital.”
Immediately after the explosion on Sunday evening, Gouveia arrived immediately at the scene before proceeding to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to support the victims’ families on behalf of Minister Vindhya Persaud and the Ministry of Human Services.
As the investigation continues, the nation mourns the loss of a young life cut tragically short, while Samantha’s call for justice resonates across Guyana. Up to press time, the Police have issued wanted bulletin for two men suspected to have been involved in explosion.