Authorities in Guyana have confirmed the recovery of 27 bodies following the capsizing of a passenger ferry off the country's coast, in what officials are describing as the nation's worst marine disaster in decades.
The vessel, known as the MV Barima, was traveling from the capital city of Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Guyana's northwestern region when it overturned on Saturday night. The ferry had issued a distress call before the incident occurred. According to officials, 179 people were on board at the time of the disaster.
Rescue Efforts and Rising Toll
By Monday, authorities reported that 69 people had been rescued from the waters. However, 83 individuals remained missing, raising fears that the death toll could climb significantly as search and recovery operations continue.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill described the sinking as the most devastating marine tragedy Guyana has experienced in decades. The scale of the disaster has prompted a swift government response, with multiple agencies coordinating recovery efforts along the country's coastline.
Crew Under Investigation for Negligence and Drug Use
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has launched a formal investigation into potential negligence by the ferry's crew leading up to the accident. The probe aims to determine whether crew actions or failures contributed to the vessel capsizing.
Police have taken the ferry's captain and at least one additional crew member into custody after both tested positive for marijuana. Edghill emphasized the gravity of the findings, noting that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for crew members consuming alcohol or drugs while on duty.
“For us to have positive tests from the captain, this is serious,” Edghill stated, underscoring the administration's commitment to accountability in the maritime sector.
Manifest Irregularities Reveal Long-Standing Problems
Initial records indicated that the MV Barima was carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew members. However, officials discovered that 32 of the people rescued from the disaster were not listed on the ferry's manifest, suggesting the actual number of passengers was significantly higher than officially recorded.
The discrepancy has brought to light a problem that passengers say has persisted for years. Travelers have long complained that officials at state-run ferry terminals have been selling seats for cash without properly recording passengers on the manifest. Edghill condemned the practice, calling it “a criminal action” that may have contributed to the confusion surrounding the true number of victims.
Government Response and Support for Survivors
President Irfaan Ali visited survivors and their families at a hospital, where he listened to their accounts of the ordeal and pledged comprehensive government support.
“It was a deeply emotional experience. I listened to their stories, shared in their pain and anxiety, and assured them that every practical measure would be taken to provide the support and assistance they need,” President Ali said following his visit.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities face mounting pressure to address both the immediate causes of the disaster and the systemic issues that allowed passengers to travel unrecorded. The findings could lead to significant reforms in Guyana's maritime transportation sector, particularly regarding passenger tracking and crew oversight.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through communities across Guyana, particularly in the northwest region where many residents rely on ferries as a primary means of transportation. With dozens still missing, families continue to await news as recovery teams scour the waters off the country's coast.
This devastating incident raises critical questions about maritime safety protocols and passenger management in Guyana. If you found this report informative, please consider sharing it with others to help spread awareness of this developing story.
Source: Al Jazeera English
