Guyana ferry MV Barima capsizes, 27 dead and 83 missing

A ferry named MV Barima sank off the Atlantic coast of Guyana on the night of 19 July while travelling between Georgetown and the remote village of Port Kaituma. The vessel was carrying about 180 passengers; 27 bodies have been recovered, 69 people rescued, and 83 remain missing.

Rescue teams using boats, aircraft and divers continued searching, while the Guyanese government, aided by French emergency resources, worked to retrieve the sunken hull. Officials said a large wave may have caused the vessel to list and sink, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The captain, who survived, tested positive for cannabis, prompting speculation about its role. President Irfaan Ali promised a thorough, independent inquiry, and Caribbean leaders expressed condolences.

The disaster highlights the reliance on the MV Barima as an affordable transport option for remote communities and raises concerns about passenger numbers, which officials said may have been higher than the official manifest.