Guyana ferry disaster: Families demand answers as death toll nears 100
With 53 bodies recovered and divers continuing the search, Prime Minister Mark Phillips vows accountability for negligence amid allegations of severe overcrowding and operational failures.
The estimated death toll from the capsizing of the MV Barima in Guyana has risen to approximately 100, intensifying pressure on authorities to explain how the nation’s worst maritime disaster in decades unfolded. Officials confirmed on Tuesday that 76 of the roughly 179 people believed to have been aboard survived, while 53 bodies have been recovered. Divers are continuing their search for the remaining missing persons as families gather in the northern town of Charity, awaiting news of loved ones still unaccounted for.
The 87-year-old vessel departed Georgetown for Port Kaituma on Saturday but began taking on water shortly after leaving, eventually capsizing off the Essequibo coast. While the ferry’s manifest listed 133 passengers, authorities now estimate that up to 179 individuals were on board. Survivors have alleged that the vessel was dangerously overloaded with heavy cargo, including engines, vehicles, fuel containers, and commercial goods packed tightly below deck. One passenger described the boat as more crowded than on any previous trip, highlighting significant discrepancies between official records and actual loading practices.
Anger has also grown regarding the rescue operation, with some survivors reporting they spent hours stranded in the water. Passengers claim the ferry suffered engine trouble shortly after departure, yet the crew attempted repairs at sea rather than turning back. Furthermore, survivors allege that concerns about water entering the vessel were dismissed by crew members as routine. Government officials maintain that the ferry was within its capacity limits for both passengers and cargo, but acknowledge that conflicting accounts necessitate a thorough inquiry to establish the facts.
In response to the growing crisis, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has pledged a full investigation and assured the public that the government has nothing to hide. He stated that anyone found responsible for negligence or criminal wrongdoing would face legal consequences. The head of the Maritime Administration Department emphasised that the investigation must determine how the vessel was loaded and whether supervisory staff acted appropriately. Police have already detained the rescued captain and at least one other crew member, both of whom reportedly tested positive for marijuana.
The incident has raised questions about the continued service of the MV Barima, which underwent major repairs in 2024 and had additional maintenance scheduled for October. Officials explained that a US$12.7 million replacement ferry, purchased from India, is currently awaiting the completion of a special pier at Port Kaituma. As the search for the missing continues, the government faces mounting scrutiny over its oversight of the aging vessel and the regulatory failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.
