Govt. to cover funeral expenses of child killed in gas station blast

Oct 28, 2025 News

…promises counselling, other support to family

(Kaieteur News) – The government through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has announced that it will cover the funeral and wake expenses of six-year-old Soraya Bourne who died in an explosion at the Mobil Gas Station at King and Regent Streets on Sunday night.

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Six-year-old girl, Soraya Bourne

According to a statement from the ministry, on Monday morning Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) Ms. Levine Gouveia and Manager of the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) Ms. Jashudra Seeram-Lackhan visited the family to offer continued assistance.

“Through DCU, the ministry will cover funeral and wake expenses, while CPA will conduct daily hospital visits to monitor the children’s progress. Counseling and support will also be provided to all affected, especially the two hospitalised children for as long as needed,” the ministry stated.

Visiting the grieving family on Monday also was Minister of Education, Sonia Parag who was accompanied by Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry, Ms. Mischka White-Griffith.

The ministry noted that the incident which claimed the life of Bourne also resulted in the injuries of little Sadiya McClintock and Rashad Lord, along with Genica Hooper and Yvonne Jonas- all of whom are attached to the education sector.

Govt. to cover funeral expenses of child killed in gas station blast

Officials from the Ministry of Human Services interacting with the family of Soraya Bourne on Monday morning.

Minister Parag who expressed her deepest condolences to the little girl’s relatives, assured them that President Irfaan Ali, along with the Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, and all relevant law enforcement agencies, are working assiduously to apprehend the main suspect and to conduct a thorough investigation. “Minister Parag told the family that the tragedy has been felt by all of Guyana and that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Minister Parag also committed her and the Ministry of Education’s full support to the affected families,” the ministry statement. This publication understands that the Ministry of Health is also providing support to ensure that all of the injured persons receive the best care possible.

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counselling, expenses, gas station blast, killed, Soraya Bourne

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