# Guyana MV Barima disaster: Inquiry and salvage updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/guyana-ferry-disaster-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-02T15:31:17.000Z. Sources: 204. Developments: 18. The 87-year-old MV Barima capsized on 18 July 2026 off Guyana’s Essequibo coast, killing at least 73 people and leaving over 30 missing. Subsequent accounts suggest the death toll may reach approximately 100, including many children. The vessel was reportedly overloaded, carrying an estimated 179 people against a manifest of 133. President Irfaan Ali has established a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to conduct a “thorough, independent, and impartial public inquiry” into the circumstances of the sinking. The commission, consisting of a Chairman and four Commissioners, is tasked with determining the sequence of events, identifying systematic causes, and assessing failures in legal and safety compliance. The mandate extends beyond technical safety to address public accountability, institutional performance, and maritime reforms. The COI is currently inviting information and recommendations from the public, government, non-governmental organizations, and the international community. As of early September 2026, the COI has advanced its investigation by conducting a preliminary site survey and establishing a Secretariat. Preparations for public hearings are underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Center. Investigators have begun acquiring data from the Guyana Coast Guard, the Air Guard, the Transport and Harbours Division, and the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Current efforts include analyzing documentation regarding the vessel’s seaworthiness and crew operations, as well as compiling a list of potential witnesses. While the COI begins its on-the-ground work, President Ali has declined to address specific calls for the resignations of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister Deodat Indar, maintaining that the COI is the “appropriate mechanism for determining accountability.” Meanwhile, salvage efforts continue, with the government seeking contractors to recover the wreck from 13-15m depth while preserving forensic and mechanical evidence. ## Claims - The MV Barima capsized on July 18 2026 while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. (corroborated by 13 sources) - 179 people were estimated to be on board the MV Barima. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Captain Kevin Price, chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and cargo superintendent Delon Granderson were charged with murder. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The commission includes experts from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland. (corroborated by 7 sources) - President Irfaan Ali appointed a five‑member Commission of Inquiry to investigate the MV Barima tragedy. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Guyana Commission of Inquiry advances M/V BARIMA investigation Guyana has launched a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the M/V BARIMA capsizing, seeking to determine the causes of the tragedy and recommend maritime safety reforms. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mv-barima-inquiry-advances-toward-public-hearings ### 2026-08-19: President Ali announces MV Barima inquiry to begin in September President Irfaan Ali announced the MV Barima ferry disaster inquiry will begin in early September, declining calls for ministerial resignations until the commission submits its findings. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-ali-announces-mv-barima-inquiry-to-begin-in-september ### 2026-08-07: Guyana seeks salvage contractor for capsized MV Barima as investigations expand Guyana’s Maritime Administration seeks a salvage firm for the capsized MV Barima while the Attorney General warns criminal charges may broaden beyond the three officials already on trial. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-seeks-salvage-contractor-for-capsized-mv-barima-as-investigations-expand ### 2026-08-05: Guyana ferry disaster fuels political crisis A state‑run ferry capsized on a Georgetown‑Port Kaituma run, killing about 100 and sparking protests and political fallout in oil‑rich Guyana. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-ferry-disaster-fuels-political-crisis ### 2026-08-04: Guyana President Irfaan Ali Confronts Protests Over Maritime Minister Juan Edghill After MV Barima Ferry Tragedy After the MV Barima ferry disaster that killed 73, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali held consultations, launched a Commission of Inquiry and a maritime audit, while opposition protests demand the resignation of J. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-president-irfaan-ali-engages-protesters-after-mv-barima-tragedy ### 2026-08-02: Guyana MV Barima ferry disaster triggers safety audit and inquiry The MV Barima ferry capsized on July 18, 2026 off Guyana, killing 73, leaving 30 missing and prompting President Irfaan Ali to launch a safety audit and a two‑month Commission of Inquiry, while salvage delays‑a 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-mv-barima-disaster-prompts-calls-for-safety-reforms ### 2026-07-31: Guyana moves to salvage sunken MV Barima ferry Guyana seeks contractors to salvage the MV Barima ferry, which sank on 18 July 2026 killing 73, to preserve forensic evidence for a Commission of Inquiry. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyanas-mv-barima-disaster-prompts-calls-for-ministerial-resignations ### 2026-07-30: Guyana Indigenous Groups Demand Transport Reform After MV Barima Disaster APA leader Jean La Rose protested in Georgetown, demanding transport safety laws and the resignation of Minister Juan Edghill after the MV Barima capsizing killed over 70, highlighting longstanding unsafe links 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-indigenous-groups-demand-transport-reform-after-mv-barima-disaster ### 2026-07-30: Guyana Opposition Leader Calls for Salvage of Sunken MV Barima Ferry Guyana’s opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed urges families of the MV Barima ferry disaster to form a legal team and push for salvaging the sunken vessel, while Prime Minister Mark Phillips says the government — 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-opposition-leader-calls-for-salvage-of-sunken-mv-barima-ferry ### 2026-07-28: Guyana’s MV Barima ferry disaster: murder charges and inquiry MV Barima capsized on 18 July 2026; 73 dead, 30 missing. Captain Kevin Price and two crew members face 72 murder charges. A five‑expert commission of inquiry and a government relief program have been launched. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-ferry-captain-and-crew-charged-with-murder-after-deadly-capsizing ### 2026-07-28: MV Barima ferry disaster sparks vigils in the Caribbean and New York The MV Barima ferry disaster off Guyana killed about 100 people, prompting candlelight vigils in the British Virgin Islands and a prayer service in New York attended by U.S. officials and diaspora leaders. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mv-barima-ferry-disaster-prompts-vigils-in-caribbean-and-new-york ### 2026-07-26: Guyana’s MV Barima Disaster Prompts Calls for IMO Investigation and Orphan Protection Guyana’s MV Barima ferry capsizing left many orphaned children. Transparency Institute urges legal protections and an independent IMO investigation, citing passenger‑count discrepancies and calling for minister 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyanas-mv-barima-disaster-prompts-calls-for-imo-investigation-and-orphan-protection ### 2026-07-25: Guyana Minister Juan Edghill Faces Resignation Calls Over MV Barima Ferry Tragedy Guyana’s Public Works Minister Juan Edghill is accused of premature blame‑shifting over the MV Barima ferry disaster, prompting APNU MP Saiku Andrews and indigenous leaders to call for his resignation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-minister-juan-edghill-faces-resignation-calls-after-mv-barima-ferry-disaster ### 2026-07-25: US Response Limited as International Aid Arrives for Guyana Ferry Disaster The MV Barima ferry disaster in Guyana killed over 70; the US offered only condolences, while France, Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil and others sent aid. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-response-limited-as-international-aid-arrives-for-guyana-ferry-disaster ### 2026-07-23: Guyana’s MV Barima ferry capsizing prompts international inquiry The MV Barima ferry capsized off Guyana on 18 July 2026, killing 73, rescuing 76 and leaving 30 missing. President Ali formed a five‑member international commission, chaired by Belize’s Justice Smith, to probe. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-president-irfaan-ali-names-commission-to-probe-mv-barima-capsizing ### 2026-07-22: Guyana ferry tragedy underscores aging fleet amid US energy partnership push A US‑Guyana forum seeks to boost American roles in Guyana’s energy sector, but a capsizing ferry MV Barima killed 65 and left dozens missing, exposing the nation’s aging transport fleet. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-ferry-tragedy-underscores-aging-fleet-amid-us-energy-partnership-push ### 2026-07-21: Guyana Ferry Disaster Claims Over 60 Lives in MV Barima Capsizing The MV Barima ferry capsized off Guyana on 18‑19 July 2026, killing at least 65 and leaving dozens missing; rescue teams from Guyana, France, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago aided, while investigations target a 68 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guyana-ferry-disaster-leaves-27-dead-83-missing ### 2026-07-19: Guyana ferry disaster leaves 27 dead, dozens missing The MV Barima ferry capsized off Guyana’s coast on July 18, killing 27, rescuing 67 and leaving 83 missing. President Irfaan Ali ordered an independent probe, while regional aid assists the search. 133 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mv-barima-ferry-capsizes-near-pomeroon-river-guyana --- Cite as: Guyana MV Barima disaster: Inquiry and salvage updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/guyana-ferry-disaster-2026