Death toll rises to 41 in Guyana ferry sinking, 51 missing

The death toll from the sinking of the MV Barima off the coast of Guyana has risen to 41, with 77 people rescued and 51 still missing, according to the latest official update. The ferry, which sank on the night of July 18 while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, was carrying far more passengers than initially recorded.

What happened

The MV Barima departed Georgetown at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time on July 18. Around 11:01 p.m., the vessel sent a distress call and quickly sank. Survivors reported that the ship went down within minutes. A preliminary investigation suggests a large wave may have caused the capsize Source: Clarin. The ferry, which was 87 years old, had been refurbished in 2024.

The investigation

Authorities discovered that the passenger manifest listed 133 people, but video footage from boarding showed 179 people actually on board Source: Infobae. The captain and another crew member tested positive for marijuana and remain in police custody Source: CNN. The government has suspended all personnel involved in loading and managing the ferry.

Search and rescue

Search efforts have expanded from 400 to 1,070 square kilometers, aided by French divers and local fishermen. Prime Minister Mark Phillips stated, "Our focus remains on finding people. We still have hope" Source: Infobae. The wreck was located thanks to a local fisherman, and recovery operations are ongoing.