Guyana ferry capsizes: at least 27 dead, 83 missing
The MV Barima ferry capsized off Guyana's coast Saturday night, killing at least 27 people. 69 have been rescued, 83 remain missing. Search efforts continue in an expanded area.
At least 27 people died when a ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed on Monday. The MV Barima overturned on Saturday night while traveling from the capital Georgetown to the inland Essequibo region.
Phillips told reporters that 69 people have been rescued, and 83 remain missing. The death toll was raised from an earlier count of ten. "Our focus again is on finding people," he said, expressing hope that more survivors may be found.
Authorities now believe 179 people were on board, after initial uncertainty. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the ship's manifest listing 133 people was inaccurate. The search area has been expanded from 400 to 1,070 square kilometers, with local fishermen joining the effort. The French army sent 12 divers, two doctors, and a mechanic from nearby French Guiana.
Two crew members tested positive for marijuana after the incident, Phillips noted, and an investigation is underway. The ferry was built in 1939, according to shipping data. A distress call was received about eight hours after departure.
Guyana, a small English-speaking country in northeastern South America, is locked in a territorial dispute with neighboring Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region.
