Ferry MV Barima Capsizes Off Guyana; 27 Dead and Dozens Missing

Overview

• The MV Barima sank on the night crossing from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, and rescue teams have recovered 69 survivors, 27 bodies and listed 83 people as missing.
• Authorities expanded the search area and deployed government vessels, private craft and local fishermen to continue multi-day search-and-rescue and recovery operations.
• Officials said the ship’s passenger list did not match who was aboard, creating major challenges for identifying victims and notifying families.
• Two crew members tested positive for cannabis during medical checks, prompting the government to detain the captain for testing and to promise a formal inquiry into crew conduct, loading and manifest procedures.
• The ferry is an older vessel recorded as built in 1939 and dry-docked in 2024, and investigators are examining vessel condition, loading practices and procedural failures as the operation shifts from rescue to recovery and accountability.