Ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sinks off Guyana coast
Sixty‑seven people have so far been rescued after the MV Barima capsized following its departure from Georgetown. Fifteen children are among those recovered. Dozens of passengers remain missing.
A distress call sent at 23:01 local time (03:01 GMT) triggered a search operation involving government teams and privately‑owned boats.
“We’re hopeful we can account for everyone on board,” said Public Works Minister Juan Edghill as rescue teams continued the operation into the afternoon.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips reported that 41 men and 11 women—including the captain—had been recovered. The captain returned to the area to assist, noting that crews had more than doubled their search area.
The boat was operating within its weight capacity at the time of the incident and was licensed to hold up to 300 passengers. Names of those onboard will be released once rescue operations and medical checks are complete.
Assistance centres have been set up for families of rescued survivors and passengers still missing.
The MV Barima was traveling to Port Kaituma when it capsized near Iron Punt. It was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts and six inflatable life crafts.
Built in 1939, the 40‑m (131‑ft) vessel has sparked scrutiny over aging maritime infrastructure and the need for stronger safety oversight, especially in the context of a warming climate and increasingly volatile weather patterns along the South American coast. The potential environmental impact of a sinking vessel—algae release, fuel spillage, and marine debris—remains a concern for local ecosystems and long‑term sustainable development goals.
Ongoing investigations will examine compliance with maritime safety regulations and explore how climate resilience can be integrated into vessel maintenance and emergency protocols.
