Ferry capsizes off Guyana: 27 dead and dozens missing after sinking of MV Barima

According to initial findings, the ferry had sent out a distress call in the middle of the night after about eight hours of travel. A survivor told the news portal News Source that he had heard a loud noise, water had entered, and then the ship had tilted to the side and sunk. The exact cause of the disaster remains unclear, according to the authorities.

Rescue operation on the high seas

Ships, aircraft, and divers are involved in the search for the missing. During the search and rescue operation, the wreck of the ferry was located on the seabed approximately 15 kilometers from the coast, according to the government. The recovery of the dead and the search for survivors are proving difficult in the coastal waters off the Essequibo region.

As a spokesperson explained, 27 fatalities have been recovered according to official figures. Prime Minister Phillips expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced that the rescue teams would continue their work with great urgency. The number of missing persons may change after review of the passenger lists.

President Ali announces investigation

President Irfaan Ali addressed the nation in a televised speech. He promised a comprehensive investigation of the incident. "I assure the nation that there will be a comprehensive, thorough, and independent investigation of this tragedy," Ali said. At the same time, he called on the public to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.

Meanwhile, the captain of the ferry has come under the focus of the investigation. According to the authorities, he survived the disaster and tested positive for cannabis. Whether there is a connection between this finding and the capsizing is the subject of the ongoing investigations. The exact circumstances that led to the sinking are being examined by the police and a special commission.

Investigation against the captain

The MV Barima was described by the government as outdated. Whether technical defects or overloading played a role remains unclear so far. The route between Georgetown and Port Kaituma passes through coastal waters and along the Essequibo region, which is considered oil-rich and lies near the border with Venezuela.

In Port Kaituma, a small settlement on an inland river canal, the first survivors and relatives arrived. Helpers set up emergency shelters, and families desperately searched for news of missing relatives. Local media reported long queues outside hospitals and collection points.

Solidarity was also expressed from neighboring Venezuela and from Caribbean states. International aid organizations offered support in the search and care of survivors. The government of Guyana is coordinating the offers of assistance through a specially established crisis unit.

Impact on Port Kaituma and the region

Images and videos of the search circulated on social media, showing rescue boats and helicopters over the sea. The authorities urged the public not to spread speculation and to rely solely on official communications. Disinformation about the number of missing persons had initially further complicated the situation.

According to reports, the MV Barima was one of several ferries connecting the remote communities in the Essequibo region with the coast and the capital. The region is sparsely populated, and many residents depend on regular ferry services to transport food, medical care, and goods. Following the disaster, the question arises whether safety standards on such routes are adequate.

Juan Edghill announced that the operation of other ferries on the route would be reviewed for the time being. He pointed out that older vessels needed to be subjected to special inspections. The exact passenger list of the MV Barima is currently being cross-checked with the help of relatives and community representatives in order to determine the final number of missing persons.

Consequences for ferry traffic

Wayne Kitson stated that the identification of the recovered dead is ongoing. Forensic teams are at work to identify the victims beyond doubt and to inform the relatives. The authorities asked for patience, as some of the recovered bodies may only be definitively assigned in the coming days.

The government also announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. President Ali spoke of a national mourning and ordered that flags on public buildings be flown at half-mast. Schools and public institutions in the affected regions opened late on Monday or remained closed to allow space for mourning and relief efforts.

With every hour that passes without new signs of life, hopes of finding more survivors are fading. The search operation will, however, continue for as long as there is even a realistic chance, Prime Minister Phillips emphasized. International attention to the disaster grew, as Guyana, as an oil-rich country in the region, had recently been in the spotlight.