Plastic bottle explodes near Caribbean Court of Justice

The low density bomb exploded just after 10 am, while workmen were conducting repair work at the building which once housed Spektakula Forum.

Workmen reported hearing a loud explosion outside the building, and on checking saw shrapnel from the bomb strewn about.

Officers of the Explosive Device Unit with trained dogs, as well as forensic officers in bomb and explosive detection, quickly arrived on the scene. The area around the bombing was cordoned off as a large contingent of police officers checked through the area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Glen Roach yesterday said that the plastic bottle contained a liquid.

Roach said he believes that the person who planted the bottle was just somebody playing the fool.

"I do not feel that it was the same person who planted the last four bombs in Port-of-Spain and St James," said the Deputy Commissioner.

Roach was given a first-hand look at the remnants of the bottle seized at the scene.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul issued a release yesterday to assure the national community that forensic officers were conducting an investigation and information will be released as soon as possible.

An FBI officer who has been in the country since August was quickly on the scene, accompanied by head of security at the American Embassy Raymond Khan.

Officers from other divisions of the Police Service also took charge of the crime scene on their own investigations.

Members of the public who were debarred from getting a close view of the scene complained that they no longer feel safe in Port-of-Spain. They expressed relief that no one was injured.

Henry Street was reopened to vehicular traffic at about 2 pm yesterday. Darrin Carmichael, chairman of Crime Stoppers, was at the scene of the incident yesterday.

He agreed with the call from the FBI director that crime could only be solved if people come forward and provide the key information which could lead to arrests.