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2w ago

Guyana Ferry Capsizes With Dozens Rescued and Scores Missing as Probe Targets Crew and Manifests

The government opened a criminal investigation after crew tested positive for marijuana following the discovery that official passenger lists understated how many boarded.

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Lifeboats float on the water during search and rescue efforts after a ferry carrying passengers sank off the coast of Guyana in South America, in this handout image released on July 19, 2026. Hon. Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips/Handout via REUTERS
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Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali attends an event to meet with family members of victims of a ferry disaster, after the MV Barima, a ferry that was travelling from the capital Georgetown to the northwest village of Port Kaituma, capsized off the coast over the weekend, in a location given as Mabaruma, Guyana, in this handout image released July 20, 2026. Office of the President - Guyana via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE.

Overview

  • The MV Barima issued a distress call late Saturday and capsized off the Essequibo coast while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, prompting a large multi-agency search and recovery operation.
  • Authorities say about 69 people have been rescued, 27 bodies have been recovered and roughly 83 remain unaccounted for as officials now estimate up to 179 people boarded the ferry.
  • Investigators have detained the captain and other crew after drug tests showed marijuana use and have suspended staff responsible for loading and manifests as part of a criminal probe into negligence or wrongdoing.
  • Search efforts have shifted toward recovery with international divers and private energy-sector vessels using scanners to locate the sunken ferry and collect evidence from the seabed.
  • The MV Barima is an 87-year-old vessel that underwent maintenance in 2024 and was due for further dry-docking, and officials say long-standing informal seat sales and inaccurate manifests have complicated accountability and rescue efforts.