At least 27 bodies have been recovered from a ferry that capsized off the coast of Guyana on Saturday night, with rescue teams still searching for 83 missing people. The MV Barima was carrying 133 passengers and crew members when it overturned while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in the country's northwest.
Key Takeaways
At least 27 bodies have been recovered from a ferry that capsized off Guyana's coast, leaving 83 people missing. Rescue teams continue searching the area where the MV Barima overturned while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
- At least 27 dead and 83 missing after ferry disaster in Guyana
- 67 rescued so far, including 41 men, 11 women, and 15 children
- Investigation launched into potential negligence by the crew
- Ferry's captain and a crew member detained for drug use
- Search area expanded to 1,040 square km (401 square miles)
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 6 publishers report consistent facts across 5 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Bodies Recovered | Broad Agreement | 27 bodies recovered | |
| Number Of People Rescued | Broad Agreement | 67 people rescued, including 41 men, 11 women, and 15 children | |
| Ferry's Departure Time | Broad Agreement | departed shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday | |
| Cause Of The Capsizing | Broad Agreement | tidal conditions caused the capsizing | |
| Search Area | Broad Agreement | Search area expanded to 1,040 square km (401 square miles) |
Number Of Bodies Recovered
Broad Agreement27 bodies recovered
Number Of People Rescued
Broad Agreement67 people rescued, including 41 men, 11 women, and 15 children
Ferry's Departure Time
Broad Agreementdeparted shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday
Cause Of The Capsizing
Broad Agreementtidal conditions caused the capsizing
Search Area
Broad AgreementSearch area expanded to 1,040 square km (401 square miles)
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The ferry issued a distress call around 11 p.m. on Saturday, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation involving the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, other government agencies, and local fishermen. As of Monday, 67 people, including 41 men, 11 women, and 15 children, had been rescued.
Authorities have launched an investigation into potential negligence by the ferry's crew after discovering that several rescued individuals were not listed on the vessel's official manifest. The investigation will examine the accuracy of the passenger list, compliance with maritime safety regulations, and the actions of the captain and crew before and during the trip.
The disaster has been described as Guyana's worst marine disaster in decades by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill. Prime Minister Mark Phillips emphasized that those responsible for any negligence or criminal wrongdoing would face the full force of the law. The ferry was built in 1939 and had undergone maintenance in 2024, with dry docking scheduled later this year.
According to Reuters, the vessel's captain and at least one other crew member are currently in police custody after testing positive for marijuana. The search area has been expanded to 1,040 square km (401 square miles), involving state and private boats, as well as divers.
The MV Barima departed shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday and ran into trouble shortly before midnight near the Pomeroon River, per Los Angeles Times. The vessel was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and six inflatable life rafts. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill denied claims that it could have capsized because it was overloaded with passengers or cargo, citing statements from rescued passengers that attributed the incident to tidal conditions.
How this summary was created
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