Government officials in Guyana confirmed Tuesday that at least 41 people have died following the capsizing of the ferry MV Barima. The vessel, which was constructed in 1939, overturned on Saturday evening while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma within the Essequibo region.
Search operations have been ongoing since Sunday. Authorities have successfully rescued 77 passengers, though many individuals remain unaccounted for. Prime Minister Mark Phillips noted that the total number of people on board is estimated at 179, a figure previously obscured by an unreliable passenger manifest that incorrectly stated there were 133 passengers.
Investigations into the cause of the disaster are currently active. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill indicated that two crew members failed drug screenings for marijuana following the event. President Irfaan Ali has been visiting the site in Charity to support the families of those missing.
