Garage blast death, climate threats and student aid scrutiny lead Jamaica news

One man has died after an explosion and fire at a garage on South Camp Road in Kingston, beside Beryllium Limited, while two other injured men have been flown to the United States for specialist treatment. A fourth victim remains in hospital locally.

The dead man was identified by news sources as Richard Macquarrie, an external contractor who suffered burn injuries. The injured included the garage manager, a Beryllium operations team member, an air-conditioning technician and a welder. Damian Walter and Richard McPherson were moved by ambulance from Kingston Public Hospital to Norman Manley International Airport, where an air ambulance was waiting.

Beryllium said the care and recovery of those affected remain the priority of the company and the wider Guardsman Group. Deputy chairman Nicholas Benjamin said quick treatment was critical for burn victims, while Burn Foundation of Jamaica founder Steven Josephs said one patient was being sent to UCSF Medical Center in California and the other to JMS Burn Center in Atlanta. Both Josephs and Benjamin praised KPH staff for stabilising the men before transfer. Guardsman founder Kenny Benjamin also said the company was focused on assisting the injured workers and their families.

Separately, Jamaica is being warned to prepare for a difficult multi-hazard year, with intense rainfall, severe dryness, higher temperatures, flash flooding, water shortages, agricultural stress and bushfires all possible. The Drought Management Committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary Wayne Robertson, reviewed preparedness measures on Tuesday. Jacqueline Spence-Hemmings of the Meteorological Service said the country was preparing for a complex climate period, not drought alone.

The National Water Commission reported that 27 water systems are being affected by drought, impacting about 24,597 customers mainly in St. Catherine, Clarendon and the north-eastern region. The Jamaica Fire Brigade recorded 487 bushfires between January and March 2026 and warned against unlawful open burning under the Country Fires Act.

In Parliament, the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee agreed to call the Students’ Loan Bureau and the Ministry of Education for questions on support for poor tertiary students. Chairman Peter Bunting raised concerns after the Solidarity Programme, a $1-billion grant scheme offering $20,000 to $50,000, disbursed only $230.42 million, with $769.58 million returned to the Consolidated Fund. Omar Newell urged a review of past work-study and grant models for vulnerable students.