Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry carrying over 100 people sinks off coast of Guyana
Tragedy at Sea: Guyana Ferry Disaster Claims Dozens of Lives
Earthguardiansonline.com – Government officials in Guyana confirmed on Monday that ten bodies have been retrieved from the waters following the capsizing of a passenger ferry that occurred over the weekend. The vessel, which was carrying a total of 133 individuals, went down late on Saturday, leaving many feared lost at sea. Officials have indicated that several factors may have played a role in the catastrophe, including discrepancies in the passenger manifest and crew members consuming drugs prior to departure.
Since Sunday afternoon, when authorities initially announced the rescue of 67 individuals—among them fifteen children—no additional survivors have been located. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill provided an update during a press gathering on Sunday evening, revealing that the ship’s captain alongside other crew personnel are currently being held by police. He emphasized that recovery efforts remain ongoing, stating, “Search and rescue is still in progress.” Edghill addressed grieving families directly, assuring them, “So to the families that are out there wondering about their loved ones, we are doing everything that is humanly possible to find them.”
Details of the MV Barima Incident
The MV Barima, carrying 116 passengers and seventeen crew members, sank approximately seven miles offshore along the North Atlantic coastline. The vessel was en route from Georgetown, the nation’s capital, to the coastal settlement of Port Kaituma when the disaster unfolded. Air traffic controllers received a distress signal from the ferry at roughly 11 p.m. on Saturday, which immediately initiated the search and rescue mission.
According to Edghill, initial response efforts were complicated by poor visibility due to darkness and a shortage of boats equipped with scanning technology capable of locating survivors underwater. Consequently, rescuers had to depend primarily on visual observation and auditory cues. Following this, oil and gas industry companies contributed vessels fitted with scanners to the operation. The government also dispatched divers to explore inside the submerged ferry in hopes of recovering more bodies.
Authorities have significantly broadened the search perimeter, extending it from 400 square kilometers to 1,040 square kilometers, which equals 401 square miles. Edghill initially stated on Sunday afternoon that there was no evidence of negligence by the ferry operator. However, by Sunday evening, he revealed that the captain and at least one additional crew member had tested positive for marijuana. Furthermore, several individuals who were successfully rescued were absent from the official passenger manifest. This discrepancy not only complicated rescue operations but also left authorities uncertain about the total number of people still missing.
Survivor Accounts and Ongoing Investigation
The minister noted that the boat underwent maintenance in 2024 and was scheduled for dry docking—a procedure involving temporarily removing a ship from water for inspection and repairs—later this year. The tragedy has devastated numerous families across the region. Leon Murray, a passenger aboard the ferry, recounted to local media outlet Ignite News that approximately four hours after departing Georgetown, someone yelled that the vessel was taking on water. Once the boat overturned, Murray managed to reach the surface and utilized a life jacket to stay afloat. While drifting, he called out for assistance and eventually located his son along with three other individuals clinging to a floating container. Murray confirmed that he and his son survived, but his wife, daughter, and four grandchildren remain missing. “Six of them gone,” he said.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips released a statement providing technical details about the ferry’s loading conditions. He reported that the vessel carried a cargo weight of 268 tons against a maximum capacity of 284 tons. The ferry held a license to transport over 300 passengers and was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts, and two rigid life rafts. By Sunday evening, during another press conference, Phillips announced that an investigation had been initiated into potential misconduct involving members of the police force, the defense force, and the maritime administration department. “Let me be absolutely clear: where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law,” he declared.
