67 rescued as Guyana launches major search operation after MV Barima capsizes with 133 people aboard
Key Points(5)
- A major search and rescue operation is underway in Guyana after the passenger vessel MV Barima capsized Saturday night while travelling to Port Kaituma in the Barima-Waini administrative region, with authorities reporting that 67 people, including 15 children, have so far been rescued.
- The vessel was carrying 116 passengers and a 17-member crew when it overturned, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said, adding that authorities remain hopeful they will account for everyone on board.
- “From what we hear, it’s a big wave.
- That’s all we hear,” Edghill told the family members of one of the crew members during an update.
- He stressed that a full investigation will determine the exact cause of the incident.
A major search and rescue operation is underway in Guyana after the passenger vessel MV Barima capsized Saturday night while travelling to Port Kaituma in the Barima-Waini administrative region, with authorities reporting that 67 people, including 15 children, have so far been rescued.
The vessel was carrying 116 passengers and a 17-member crew when it overturned, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said, adding that authorities remain hopeful they will account for everyone on board.
“From what we hear, it’s a big wave. That’s all we hear,” Edghill told the family members of one of the crew members during an update. He stressed that a full investigation will determine the exact cause of the incident.
Authorities said preliminary information does not indicate that the vessel suffered an engine failure, mechanical problem or was overloaded.
“There was no engine problem or any mechanical problem,” Edghill said, rejecting reports that overloading caused the capsizing. He said the vessel was operating within its approved limits, with a cargo capacity of 284 tonnes and a manifest showing 268 tonnes of cargo at the time of the incident.
The MV Barima is licensed to carry more than 300 passengers, while only 116 passengers were aboard along with the 17 crew members, he added.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the search and rescue operation remains active, with the Guyana Coast Guard working alongside state agencies, private sector partners and local fisherfolk.
As of Sunday, the 67 rescued passengers included 41 males, 11 females and 15 children. Survivors have been transported to the Charity and Lima hospitals for medical attention, while the Ministry of Health is coordinating emergency medical support and providing psychosocial assistance to affected families.
“The operation will continue until every effort has been exhausted,” Phillips said during a briefing at the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.
The search area has been expanded from 400 square kilometres to 1,070 square kilometres, with additional air and sea assets deployed to locate anyone still missing.
Three command centres have been established at Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and the Amerindian Hostel at Umana Yana in Georgetown to provide verified updates and support to relatives.
Officials said the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts and two rigid life rafts at the time of the incident. The vessel was last dry-docked in 2024, remains within its required maintenance cycle and operates with new engines, making three to four trips to Port Kaituma each month.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo have directed that all available resources be deployed to support the ongoing rescue mission.
Authorities said investigations into the cause of the capsizing will begin once the immediate search and rescue efforts are completed.
