Guyana ferry disaster death toll rises to 53 as search continues for missing passengers
Key Points(5)
- At least 53 people have died after a ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said Tuesday, as rescue and recovery teams continued searching for missing passengers.
- The MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Guyana’s Essequibo region when it overturned on Saturday night.
- A search operation began early Sunday, with 76 people rescued so far, according to Phillips.
- The prime minister revised the death toll twice on Tuesday, increasing it from 41 to 53.
- “A total of 53 bodies have been recovered,” Phillips told a press conference.
At least 53 people have died after a ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said Tuesday, as rescue and recovery teams continued searching for missing passengers.
The MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Guyana’s Essequibo region when it overturned on Saturday night.
A search operation began early Sunday, with 76 people rescued so far, according to Phillips. The prime minister revised the death toll twice on Tuesday, increasing it from 41 to 53.
“A total of 53 bodies have been recovered,” Phillips told a press conference. “We’ve recorded 76 persons that were rescued as of 6 p.m. today.”
Authorities have faced uncertainty over the number of people aboard the vessel after an inaccurate passenger manifest listed 133 passengers. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the government later determined that 179 people were likely on board when the ferry capsized.
The ageing vessel, built in 1939, had departed in the afternoon and a distress call was received about eight hours later. The route requires vessels to travel through coastal waters before entering rivers to reach Port Kaituma, a remote community surrounded by dense rainforest.
Two crew members aboard the ferry tested positive for marijuana following the incident, Phillips said on Sunday, adding that an investigation was underway.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Tuesday assured families of those still missing that search and recovery operations would continue through the night, with additional divers, vessels and specialized equipment deployed.
“We will have our team here all night. Any recovery that is made, we will take the photos and put it on the system so you can identify it,” Ali told relatives gathered at the site.
The president said authorities would provide regular updates and that government officials would remain involved throughout the operation.
“This is difficult. It is painful. It is an emotional shock and trauma. We are here to support you throughout the process… Long after the process,” Ali said.
The operation includes seven Coast Guard vessels, police resources, private sector support and civilian volunteers. Helicopters from the Regional Security System and Omni Aviation have also been deployed to search coastal areas and nearby waterways.
Ali said recovery teams had maintained an overnight presence near the wreck after bodies were seen drifting from the vessel. He said post-mortem examinations had been completed on 20 victims, with 11 bodies already released to families according to their wishes.
Medical teams, including doctors and pathologists, are working to speed up the identification process. Officials said about 36 victims have been identified by relatives.
For victims who remain unidentified, authorities have established a secure process allowing authorized family members to view photographs taken during post-mortem examinations to assist with identification.
Ali said the immediate priority remains locating everyone affected by the tragedy.
“The focus now is on the families, on recovery, still hoping for rescue, on recovery and on helping the families through this difficult time,” he said.
