72 Dead in Guyana Ferry Sinking

Guyanese authorities have confirmed that 72 people lost their lives in the recent sinking of a state ferry off the country’s coast. The death toll is expected to rise, with the government estimating that around 100 people may have died in the accident, making it the worst marine tragedy on record for the South American nation.

A multinational team is working to salvage the partially submerged vessel, with divers from countries including Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago involved in the operation. Of the estimated 179 people aboard the ferry, 76 were rescued. The government has widened the search area and is determined to find all those who were aboard so that loved ones can bury them with dignity.

The 87-year-old MV Barima departed the capital, Georgetown, on Saturday and was headed to Port Kaituma when it began taking on water and capsized in Atlantic waters off the Essequibo coast. The prime minister, Mark Phillips, has stated that the government will ensure that every available resource is deployed until the operation is brought to a safe and dignified conclusion.

The government has also launched a criminal investigation into the sinking, with three people detained so far, including the rescued captain and a crew member who tested positive for marijuana. The marine superintendent responsible for overseeing the loading of the ferry has also been detained. Survivors have told reporters that they believe the vessel was overloaded, despite the government maintaining that it was under capacity in both people and cargo.

A growing number of Guyanese are questioning why it took so long to rescue people, with some survivors telling the Associated Press that they spent hours in the water. The government has asked for patience and said officials are awaiting the conclusion of an investigation, which will be reviewed by a commission of inquiry.

The sinking of the MV Barima has raised questions about the safety of the country’s maritime fleet, with the government revealing that it had acquired a new vessel from India to replace the MV Barima, but was waiting on the completion of a new pier at Port Kaituma needed to accommodate it. The MV Barima was last dry docked in 2024 for major repairs and was scheduled for additional work in October.