Guyana ferry capsizing leaves at least 27 dead and scores missing as search continues
At least 27 bodies, including children, have been recovered after a ferry capsized off Guyana over the weekend in what authorities say could be one of the country’s worst maritime disasters. The Guyana ferry capsizing has left dozens missing and prompted a criminal investigation as search-and-rescue teams work to locate survivors. (internazionale.it)
Casualties and rescue totals confirmed
Rescue teams have pulled dozens of people from the water and recovered bodies as the search operation continues along the north coast. Officials reported that 69 people have been rescued while recovered remains now total at least 27, and the number of missing passengers remains in the dozens.
Timeline of the voyage and sinking
The MV Barima departed Georgetown on Saturday afternoon and encountered trouble late that night, with an emergency distress call logged shortly before midnight. Authorities placed the capsize on Saturday, July 18, 2026, and intensified search efforts through Sunday and Monday after the vessel went down. (apnews.com)
Passenger manifest discrepancies raise overcrowding concerns
Government records initially showed 133 people listed on the state-run ferry’s manifest, but officials now say the vessel may have been carrying far more — with some estimates as high as 179 aboard. Investigators and officials have said that unrecorded ticket sales and irregularities at ferry terminals have long been a problem, complicating efforts to determine exactly how many people were on board when the boat went down. (newsroom.gy)
Crew drug tests and criminal probe
Police have taken the vessel’s captain and at least one crew member into custody after tests reportedly returned positive for cannabis, and the attorney general has opened a criminal investigation. Authorities say the probe will examine the conduct of the crew, the accuracy of the manifest, cargo loading and compliance with maritime safety regulations as investigators seek to establish what caused the capsize. (apnews.com)
Survivor accounts and onboard conditions
Survivors described being asleep or in hammocks when the ferry suddenly rolled, saying they had only minutes to reach life jackets or cling to floating objects such as coolers. Passengers reported chaotic conditions as the vessel listed and sank, and some said they were thrown into darkness with little time to react.
Government response and international assistance
President Irfaan Ali spoke to the nation and visited sites near the sinking, promising transparency and accountability as officials continue the search. Guyana has mobilized one of its largest maritime searches, and neighboring French Guiana dispatched a 15-member squad with divers to assist recovery teams at sea. (internazionale.it)
The search operation remains active and officials cautioned that the death toll could rise as more bodies are recovered and investigators comb the wreckage. Families of the missing have been offered support while authorities say they will pursue answers and accountability for the circumstances surrounding the Guyana ferry capsizing.