In brief
At the end of Saturday night, the MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s coast, leaving the national rescue teams scrambling for survivors. Sixty‑seven people, including children, have been recovered, but many are still missing. Officials confirm the ferry was within weight limits and licensed for 300 passengers, yet a slow, escalating search continues along a wider sector. Families are awaiting the release of a full passenger list and the closure of the tragedy.
July 19, 2026
A distress call was received at 23:01 local time on Saturday, when the MV Barima, carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew, left Georgetown and later capsized near Iron Punt. Rescue teams began a search along an expanded route, with local officials reporting that 67 people had been recovered so far, among them 15 children.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the boat was within its weight capacity when the accident occurred and that it was licensed to hold more than 300 passengers, a fact revealed as crews doubled their patrol area in hopes of locating every survivor. Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed that the rescued count also included the captain and 41 men and 11 women.
The MV Barima, built in 1939 and 40 metres long, is equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid lifeboats, and six inflatable lifecraft. Families of the missing have set up assistance centres, awaiting the full list of names to be released after ongoing rescue and medical checks.
Authorities continue to probe the incident, balancing the swift rescue effort with investigative work to understand why the vessel, at full capacity but within limits, capsized and how future maritime safety can be strengthened in the Guiana region.
