GEORGETOWN — Three soldiers in Guyana were killed and one was severely injured during a demolition training exercise at an inland army base on Thursday, the military said.
The Guyana Defense Force said it was investigating the explosion at an “arms store complex” at Camp Stephenson, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Georgetown.
“Preliminary investigations have so far revealed that the soldiers were involved in the preparation of pyrotechnics for demolition when the incident occurred,” a military statement said.
The surviving soldier in the explosion at the Timehri-based Arms Depot of the GDF has been identified as 43-year old Quincy Threlfell of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, sources said.
Threlfell was air-evacuated by helicopter to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he has been receiving emergency treatment for his injuries. He was reported to have burns over 90 percent of his body.
Three others were pronounced dead. They include: Private Shaqueel Deheart, 20, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice, Lance Corporal Kevon Nicholson, 23, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam and Lance Corporal Toohey Peneux, 28, of Orealla Village, Corentyne River.
The GDF said the incident occurred at about 9 a.m. Thursday while the soldiers were preparing pyrotechnics, also called fireworks, for demolition.
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.
It was the second time this year that an explosion at an army base in the South American country resulted in death.
Eight others were injured in a similar explosion on February 22, 2020 when they had been loading pyrotechnics from a truck to a pontoon boat at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Ruimveldt.
