At least 27 people died after the MV Barima ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, with 83 others still missing, according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips. The aging vessel, traveling from Georgetown to the Essequibo region, overturned late Saturday, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation.
Incident Details and Initial Response
The MV Barima, built in 1939, was en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it capsized. Prime Minister Phillips confirmed 27 bodies had been recovered, raising the death toll from an earlier reported 10. He stated that 69 people had been rescued, with 83 remaining unaccounted for. The ferry’s passenger manifest, which listed 133 people, was later deemed inaccurate by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who noted discrepancies in the number of survivors and missing individuals.
Rescue efforts expanded the search area to 1,070 square kilometers (413 square miles) as local fishermen and international aid joined the operation. The French army deployed 12 divers, two doctors, and a mechanic from French Guiana to assist, according to the presidency. A distress call was received eight hours after the ferry departed, with rescuers initially hampered by darkness and a lack of scanning equipment, Edghill said.
Investigation into Contributing Factors
Two crew members tested positive for marijuana after the incident, prompting an investigation into potential drug use as a contributing factor. Phillips confirmed the findings, stating that an inquiry was underway into institutional failures. The captain and at least one crew member were in police custody, with officials accusing them of negligence or misconduct.
Edghill initially denied signs of negligence but later revealed the crew’s drug test results. He also highlighted inaccuracies in the passenger manifest, which listed 133 people but excluded some survivors. This discrepancy complicated rescue efforts, as authorities struggled to determine the exact number of people on board. The vessel, which underwent maintenance in 2024, was scheduled for dry docking later this year for further inspection.
Rescue Efforts and Survivors’ Accounts
Survivor Leon Murray described the ordeal, recounting how he and his son survived by clinging to a floating box after the ferry sank. His wife, daughter, and four grandchildren remained missing. Six of them gone,
he said. Rescue teams, aided by oil and gas sector vessels equipped with scanning technology, continued searching the sunken ferry for bodies.
Phillips emphasized the ferry’s capacity, noting it was licensed to carry over 300 passengers and 250 life jackets. However, the vessel’s reported cargo weight of 268 tons was just below its 284-ton maximum capacity. Despite these measures, the disaster underscored systemic risks in Guyana’s maritime infrastructure, with officials vowing legal action against those found responsible for negligence.
Broader Context and Ongoing Challenges
Guiana, a small English-speaking nation, faces a territorial dispute with Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region. While this conflict is not directly linked to the ferry disaster, it highlights the country’s complex geopolitical landscape. The tragedy has intensified calls for stricter safety regulations and accountability in transportation, particularly for aging vessels like the MV Barima.
