A major search-and-rescue operation is underway in Guyana after a government-operated ferry carrying more than 130 passengers and crew capsized off the country’s northern coast, leaving dozens of people feared dead in what could become one of the nation’s worst maritime disasters in recent history.
The MV Barima was traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma late Saturday when it encountered difficulty near the mouth of the Pomeroon River. Authorities said the vessel was carrying 133 people, 116 passengers and 17 crew members, when it overturned shortly before midnight after reportedly being struck by powerful waves. As of Sunday, 67 people had been rescued, while search teams continued combing the area for those still missing.
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Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is overseeing the government’s response, said every available resource had been mobilized to locate survivors. Rescue efforts involve the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, police, private aircraft, fishing vessels and volunteers searching an area spanning more than 1,000 square kilometres. Medical personnel have also been deployed to provide treatment and support for survivors and their families.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said initial reports suggest rough sea conditions may have contributed to the tragedy, although investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the capsizing. Authorities have dismissed early speculation that the ferry was overloaded, noting that the vessel was equipped with more than enough life jackets and life rafts for everyone on board. However, officials have acknowledged discrepancies between the passenger manifest and those who have been rescued, prompting a formal investigation into boarding procedures and passenger records.
Survivors recounted harrowing moments as the ferry rapidly took on water, forcing passengers to cling to life jackets, floating debris and life rafts while awaiting rescue in the darkness. Family members gathered at ports and emergency centres anxiously awaiting updates as authorities worked to identify those rescued and those still unaccounted for.
The MV Barima provides a vital transportation link between Georgetown and remote communities in Guyana’s northwest, where many residents rely on ferries for travel, commerce and access to essential services. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, with regional leaders and neighboring Caribbean governments expressing condolences and offering assistance as the search continues.
Authorities said rescue operations will remain ongoing until every effort has been made to locate those still missing, while a full investigation will seek to determine the circumstances that led to the disaster and whether additional safety measures are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
