MV Barima Tragedy: 72 bodies recovered, 65 identified

Five days after the MV Barima sank while heading to Port Kaituma in Region One, authorities have so far recovered 72 bodies with 65 victims positively identified.

Prime Minister Brigadier Retired Mark Phillips provided an update on Thursday night.

A total of 22 assets including of 19 vehicles and three aircrafts remains actively engaged in the search and recovery efforts

The Prime Minister said the government continues to stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and all those affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the number of rescued passengers and crew remains unchanged at 76.

The search area has also been expanded to 2,100 square kilometres. The vessel has been located and efforts are being made to reposition the vessel to a safer location where divers can access the wreck more effectively. The team aims to move the vessel into shallower waters to facilitate the recovery operation before it is eventually lifted. Guyana is receiving assistance from French divers, along with support from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago, in this effort.

The MV Barima, a passenger and cargo vessel, left Port Georgetown on Saturday afternoon and was heading to Port Kaituma in Region One. Late Saturday night, tragedy struck.

This tragedy has gripped the nation, but striking revelations have raised many questions.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Sunday night said officials initially believed they were searching for 116 passengers and 17 crew members, based on the official manifest. But investigations revealed that only 35 of the 67 initially rescued were listed on the passenger manifest, meaning 32 survivors were never officially recorded as passengers before the vessel left Georgetown. Once this information came to light, the list of passengers was released to the public.

The vessel’s cargo manifest showed it was carrying 268 tonnes of cargo, below its licensed capacity of 284 tonnes. But now that is also under question too.

Additionally, the vessel’s captain and an engineer have been arrested after both tested positive for narcotics. This information was released to the public soon after authorities found out. On Wednesday, authorities said the these crew members remain in custody while another person who oversaw the loading of the boat has turned himself into for questioning.

The government has said that an investigation will be launched to determine what really caused the ferry to capsize. President Dr Irfaan Ali has promised a full and thorough investigation into the entire tragedy.