Guyana ferry disaster 2026

Mid‑July 2026 saw the 87‑year‑old MV Barima capsizing off Guyana’s Atlantic coast while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Initial reports placed the passenger count between 133 and 180. By 19 July, authorities had recovered 27 bodies, rescued 67–69 survivors – including 15 children – and still listed about 83 passengers as missing.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips coordinated a large‑scale search‑and‑rescue effort, deploying army, navy, air‑force assets and civilian divers. The captain and at least one crew member tested positive for cannabis and were taken into police custody.

President Irfaan Ali ordered a full, independent inquiry, pledging accountability and noting concerns over the vessel’s age, maintenance records, and an incomplete passenger manifest. Regional partners – the United States, the European Union, CARICOM members, Trinidad & Tobago, and French emergency resources – offered condolences and assistance.

The disaster is being treated as one of Guyana’s gravest maritime accidents, prompting scrutiny of the Barima’s safety and the broader reliance on aging ferries for remote communities. Search operations and the investigation remain ongoing.