Another city blast

The bomb sent garbage flying into the air, but no one was injured.

The bomb is believed to have been planted by a person under an opening in a pavement under the light pole, minutes before heavy rainfall which was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

The bomb blast yesterday occurred almost one month after the first blast which took place on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, on July 11.

Police investigators told Newsday that the shrapnel gathered at the scene by forensic experts yesterday was similar to that from last month’s explosion on Frederick Street.

The shrapnel will be thoroughly examined today.

Sources revealed that with the second bombing, police investigators are now convinced that the bombings are planned, and are the work of people out to send a message.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul said that from the preliminary investigations, the device used in the bombing was of low intensity and caused no damage or injury.

He said the police have stepped up security and will continue to intensify efforts in a bid to make a breakthrough into the probe of the two bombings. Two tents have been set up at the scene of the bombing in a bid to ensure that all the debris from the bomb is collected.

Yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce issued a press release in the aftermath of the George Street bomb blast.

The chamber condemned the attack, adding that the bombings seem to suggest that these are planned and organised assaults on our citizenry.

"To date, the authorities have not been forthcoming regarding the status of the investigations of the last bombing, and certainly it appears that they are no closer to identifying or arresting the perpetrators.

The Chamber is calling on the Gov-ernment and the Commissioner of Police to immediately procure the foreign expertise required to investigate and solve the two bombings, and to beef up their intelligence gathering capabilities.

Chamber President Christian Mouttet said this is an extremely sad day for Trinidad and Tobago, and the increased level of terrorism is unacceptable.

Downtown Owners and Merchants Association president (DOMA) Gregory Aboud said this is a serious blow to the city and to the country.

"We are extremely relieved that no one was hurt and we feel that due to heavy rainfall, no pedestrians were in the area of the bomb blast," said Aboud.

He noted that the seriousness of the situation requires that everyone come together to find the willpower and resources to make the city of Port-of-Spain a safe one.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph could not be reached for comment since calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

Sources told Newsday that the people responsible for the bombings are members of a gang with international links. Newsday learnt that due to the gang warfare in Port-of-Spain, some members of a gang have taken their acts to a higher level with the planting of these bombs.

Members of the business community in Port-of-Spain yesterday expressed fear that business may suffer because of the bombings, because people may be afraid to venture into the city for business.

Police officers told Newsday they expect more killings, more bombings and an overall breakdown in law and order in the country.