Dozens feared dead after passenger ferry carrying over 100 people sinks off coast of Guyana
Tragedy at Sea: Ferry Disaster Leaves Dozens Missing Off Guyana’s Coast
Healfromzero.com – A devastating maritime accident has left families in mourning after the MV Barima passenger ferry capsized in the waters near Guyana. The vessel, which was transporting 133 individuals aboard, went down late Saturday evening while making its journey from the capital city of Georgetown toward the coastal settlement of Port Kaituma. According to officials, the ship sank approximately seven miles from the shoreline in the North Atlantic region.
Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency responders have been working tirelessly since receiving a distress signal from the ferry at around 11 p.m. on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed that 67 people had been pulled from the water, among them fifteen young children. Unfortunately, no additional survivors have been located since that announcement was made.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill addressed reporters during a late Sunday press briefing, explaining that the initial rescue efforts faced significant challenges. He noted that darkness and insufficient equipment hampered early operations, as rescuers had to rely primarily on visual observation and auditory cues to locate people in the water. “Search and rescue is still in progress,” Edghill stated. “So to the families that are out there wondering about their loved ones, we are doing everything that is humanly possible to find them.”
Since the initial response, oil and gas companies have contributed vessels equipped with scanning technology to assist in the search. The government has also dispatched divers to enter the submerged ferry in hopes of recovering bodies. Officials have simultaneously enlarged the search perimeter from 400 square kilometers to 1,040 square kilometers, which equals roughly 401 square miles.
Potential Causes Under Investigation
While Edghill initially suggested there was no evidence of operator negligence on Sunday afternoon, his assessment shifted by evening. He revealed that the captain and at least one additional crew member had tested positive for marijuana. Compounding the situation, several individuals who were successfully rescued were not recorded on the ferry’s official passenger manifest. This discrepancy has complicated rescue efforts because authorities cannot determine the exact number of people still missing.
The minister also provided details about the vessel’s maintenance history. The MV Barima underwent repairs in 2024 and is scheduled for dry docking later this year, a procedure that involves removing a ship from the water to conduct inspections and necessary repairs.
Personal Stories of Loss
The tragedy has devastated numerous families along the coast. Leon Murray, a passenger aboard the ferry, shared his experience with local media outlet Ignite News. He recounted that approximately four hours after departing Georgetown, someone cried out that the vessel was taking on water. Murray managed to reach the surface after the boat overturned, using a life jacket to stay afloat. While drifting, he called for assistance and encountered his son and three other survivors clinging to a floating container.
Murray confirmed that he and his son survived the incident, but his wife, daughter, and four grandchildren remain unaccounted for. “Six of them gone,” he said, expressing his grief over the loss.
Official Statements and Accountability
Prime Minister Mark Phillips released a statement providing additional details about the ferry’s specifications. He noted that the vessel reported carrying 268 tons of cargo, which is within its 284-ton capacity. The ferry held a license to transport more than 300 passengers and was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts, and two rigid life rafts.
By Sunday evening, Phillips announced that an investigation had been initiated into potential misconduct involving members of the police force, the defense force, and the maritime administration department. “Let me be absolutely clear: where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law,” he declared.
The captain and other crew members are currently being held in police custody as authorities continue their comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding this maritime disaster.