Guyana ends MV Barima search and recovery operations
Key Points(5)
- The Guyana government on Tuesday said that the search and recovery operations following the MV Barima tragedy, resulting in the deaths of 73 people and more than 30 others missing and presumed dead, have ended.
- A brief statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that, “however, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational” and that “there has been no change in the status of the identification of the recovered bodies”.
- Latest News, News Isratech assists hurricane-affected farmers at Denbigh 2026 August 4, 2026 The MV Barima sank on July 18 as it made its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
- A total of 76 people were rescued during the morning after the ferry went down, but since then there has been no other recovery.
- The Ministry of Health is still seeking the public’s help in identifying the remains of five individuals died in the tragedy.
The Guyana government on Tuesday announced the end of search and recovery operations following the MV Barima tragedy, which claimed the lives of 73 people and left more than 30 others missing and presumed dead.
A brief statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that while recovery efforts have concluded, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational. The government also said there has been no change in the status of the identification of recovered bodies.
The MV Barima sank on July 18 while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. A total of 76 people were rescued on the morning of the incident, but no additional survivors or remains have been recovered since then.
The Ministry of Health continues to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the remains of five individuals who died in the tragedy.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Tuesday attended an inter-agency meeting at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) headquarters in Georgetown as part of an after-action review of the response to the disaster.
According to a statement on his Facebook page, the meeting examined the coordinated response to the MV Barima incident and measures to strengthen national emergency preparedness.
The meeting included representatives from key agencies involved in the response, including the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, Air Corps, Guyana Police Force, Civil Defence Commission, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Maritime Administration Department, regional authorities, and other government agencies.
Meanwhile, the court case involving three men charged with murder in connection with the sinking has been adjourned until September 7.
Kevin Price, also known as “KP,” the 40-year-old captain of the vessel; 42-year-old chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts; and 33-year-old goods superintendent Delon Granderson appeared by Zoom before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The charges have drawn criticism from defence lawyers, legal commentators, and opposition parties, who argue that the search had not concluded and that the government-appointed Commission of Inquiry into the disaster had not yet begun its work.
However, police have maintained that the charges were filed following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
DPP Shalimar Hack said she advised that the three men be charged based on the evidence presented, relevant legal principles, case law from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth jurisdictions, decisions from the European Court of Human Rights, and public policy considerations.
Political tensions also continued on Tuesday, as opposition parties staged a protest in Linden during a government outreach event hosted by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Joint Opposition called for a full investigation into the tragedy and demanded the resignation of two government ministers, accusing the administration of failing to respond adequately to the deaths.
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, said the protest reflected growing public frustration over the government’s handling of the disaster.
“The reality is, that boat was condemned a while [ago], the government brought it back, they forced people to work on it, and we have this tragedy. The focus has to be that we have accountability,” Norton said.
The protesters also called on the Regional Executive Officer for Region 10 to convene a meeting of the Regional Democratic Council to allow elected councillors to choose a regional chairman and vice chairman.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who attended the protest, said the government must respect the will of voters in Region 10.
“The people of Region 10 voted overwhelmingly for WIN and I must represent them,” he said, adding that opposition supporters would continue to protest if their concerns were not addressed.
