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T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M
Biggest And Best!
Volume: 123 No. 172, Friday, July 31, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
BLACKOUT Transformer explosion and underground cable fault plunge New Providence into darkness By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AN island-wide blackout plunged New Providence into darkness for hours yesterday morning, adriving residents from sweltering homes to beaches, cars and gas stations as the failure disrupted flights, strained businesses and unleashed fresh anger over high electricity bills and unreliable service. The outage began at about 1.45am and lasted seven hours or longer in some communities, leaving thousands without electricity during the hottest and most vulnerable hours of the night. Bahamas Power and Light blamed
the blackout on the explosion of a 15MVA transformer, which it said was triggered by a suspected underground cable fault. Videos released by the utility showed equipment engulfed in flames and the extent of the damage before the fire was extinguished. Across New Providence, residents searched for relief wherever they could find it. The Tribune drove through several communities after the outage and found people gathered along beaches with blankets and pillows, hoping to catch a cool breeze. Some took early morning swims, while roads remained unusually busy before dawn. BLACKOUT - SEE PAGE THREE
Screen capture shows flames coming from a 15MVA transformer at BPL’s Blue Hills Substation yesterday which led to an island-wide blackout.
Commissioner orders probe into murder suspect’s 81 bail violations By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SHANTA KNOWLES
COMMISSIONER of Police Shanta Knowles has expressed serious concern over allegations that
a murder suspect breached his bail conditions 81 times, as police investigate how the violations went unchecked and whether anyone should be held accountable. National Security
Minister Myles Laroda said Commissioner Knowles assured him that her team would do all it could to prevent a similar incident from occurring again. CONCERN - SEE PAGE FOUR
‘SICK-SLIP’ DOCTOR’S COURT BID TO REGAIN MEDICAL LICENCE REJECTED Devynne Charlton captures Gold in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A DOCTOR, who was first suspended for “forging sick certificates” for 185 Atlantis workers over a four-month period, has lost the latest bid to reinstate his medical licence to practice. Sir Ian Winder
yesterday ruled that Dr Bertram Sears had supplied no “good reason” for why he missed the deadline, set in law, to launch a Judicial Review challenge to the Bahamas Medical Council’s (BMC) July 14, 2021, decision that left him in “regulatory limbo”. SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY
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