Person killed in RIU hotel explosion identified

The identity of the man killed in Thursday's explosion at Hotel RIU Reggae in St. James has been released.
      
He is 26 year old maintenance manager, Seduro McIntosh of Rosemount Gardens in the parish.
     
In a statement Friday morning, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett expressed deep regret at the death of Mr. McIntosh and the injuring of his colleagues.
     
He said the ministry will continue to monitor the situation and will be working closely with the hotel to ensure that the grieving families receive the necessary support.
    
The Tourism Ministry said the adults-only property officially opened in November of last year. Construction had cost some US$60 million.

Others in serious condition

Meanwhile, the police have said the four injured employees at RIU Resort Hotel remain in serious condition at hospital.
   
The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. when a boiler pump exploded.   

Emeleo Ebanks, Senior Deputy Superintendent at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, said the hotel was ordered closed on Thursday to carry-out its investigation.

He was not able to say when the investigation is likely to be completed.      

St. James Municipal Corp probe

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, in the meantime, said there will be a thorough investigation to determine what caused Thursday's explosion.
    
He said the Building department of the St. James Municipal Corporation will inspect the boiler room and any other building that may have been affected by the explosion.
    
The Minister added that the Fire Brigade will conduct a fire safety inspection of all the electrical and other equipment in the boiler room, whenever the facility is restored or repaired.
     
According to Mr. McKenzie, the normal requirement is that the inspection will not be limited to the immediate vicinity of the broiler room, but will include the entire premises.