Workers
at the Ministerial Complex in the Botanical Gardens were forced
to evacuate the building on Tuesday following a bomb scare.
Hundreds of government employees were seen on the outside of
the building after a call was received within the Ministry of
Health indicating that a bomb was planted in the building.
In panic
and shock, some workers fled the building and waited down by
a little shop near the complex waiting on further instructions
from law enforcement officers. Acting Commissioner of Police,
Raymond Charles vowed to work feverishly to find the perpetrator/s
behind the "prank" call.
According
to Charles, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) received a
telephone call at 2:15 p.m. stating that an anonymous caller
had indicated that there was a bomb planted at the Complex.
Members of the Special Services Unit (SSU) at Point Salines
and regular Police officers including members of the Fire Services
responded within five minutes of the call and proceeded to cordon
off the area from the main entrance and exit gates, allowing
only key personnel onto the compound.
Reporters
were also allowed into the area but were told to remain some
distance away from the main building where the alleged "bomb"
was planted. The Ministerial Complex houses several government
ministries including the Office of Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.
As reporters
looked on, some fifteen (15) members of the Explosive Ordinance
Disposal Squad headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police
(ASP) Jessmon Prince searched the six floors of the building
for approximately 90 minutes, but found no explosive device/s
and thereafter gave the all clear.
The Acting
Commissioner told reporters that the entire building was thoroughly
searched and the police are satisfied that there is no bomb
inside the building. Police say while the call might be from
prank or mischief callers, they are taking no chances and must
respond to each case in the interest of public safety.
The authorities
are in the process of tracing the call as investigations continue.
