1 DEAD AND 4 HOSPITALIZED AS BOILER EXPLODES AT RIU REGGAE HOTEL IN MONTEGO BAY
Montego Bay, St James (Mckoy’s News) – Hundreds of persons evaluated the Riu Reggae Hotel in Montego Bay, St James on Thursday afternoon, April 20, at the sound of a deadly explosion which left one man dead and four others admitted to hospital in serious condition.
Coral Gardens police report that the five members of the hotel’s maintenance team were working in the Boiler Room, nearby the kitchen at the Riu Reggae Resort in Iron Shore when a blast came from the Boiler Room at about 3: 00 pm.
It is alleged that one of the boilers exploded.
Four of the men managed to run from the room after being seriously wounded but the fifth employee got trapped in the explosion and was killed.
Dead is Maintenance Manager, Seduro McIntosh.
The Coral Gardens police and the Fire Department were summoned and officers are now carrying out investigations.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and offered his support to the families of the injured.
“I am deeply saddened about the unfortunate accident that occurred at the Hotel RIU Reggae, which resulted in several injuries and the loss of a life. I offer my sincere condolences to the staff of the hotel as they cope with the aftermath of this tragic incident. I also offer my support to the families and friends of the other injured staff members who are all receiving treatment in the hospital,” said Min. Bartlett.
The Jamaica Fire Brigade spokesman Emeleo Ebanks stated on Friday that the hotel has been closed for government investigation into what caused the explosion at the Riu Reggae hotel in Montego Bay.
Ebanks said firefighters will conduct a full inspection of the resort to ensure it is in compliance with regulations for safely before it is allowed to reopen.
The $60 million resort opened last year November.
