GEORGETOWN, Guyana — At least 27 people, including four children, have been confirmed dead following the capsizing of a ferry off the coast of Guyana, authorities reported on Monday. The vessel overturned late Saturday night while traveling from Georgetown, the capital, to the remote mining outpost of Port Kaituma in northwestern Guyana. Dozens more remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue in one of the country’s largest maritime operations.
Government officials said the ferry was believed to be overloaded. The state-run ferry’s official passenger manifest listed 133 individuals aboard, including crew, but authorities estimate the actual number of people on board was as high as 179. This discrepancy has raised concerns and public outrage, with questions about whether some passengers purchased tickets without their names being recorded, potentially allowing ferry workers to retain illicit proceeds.
Among those rescued are at least 69 survivors, including men, women, and children. Rescuers have been working through challenging conditions to locate the missing. The French government dispatched a team of divers from French Guiana to assist in the ongoing search. Private vessels and government teams are continuing the efforts as families await news.
Initial reports indicate that the ferry, identified as the MV Barima and constructed in 1939, capsized after encountering large waves along the Atlantic coast before turning inland toward Port Kaituma. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill suggested that rough sea conditions may have caused the accident. The ship was reportedly equipped with 250 life jackets, two lifeboats, and six inflatable rafts.
The captain and a crew member, both rescued, tested positive for cannabis following the incident, prompting speculation regarding whether impairment may have played a role. Authorities have not confirmed this as a factor but have stated that investigations will be thorough.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes, with many passengers asleep at the time of the capsizing, leaving them little time to secure life jackets or floatation aids. One survivor, 18-year-old Wayne Kitson, recounted spending six hours in the water after the ferry overturned; he fears his wife and daughter remain missing.
President Irfaan Ali addressed the nation Monday evening, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and pledging a transparent investigation to determine the causes. “The families affected, and indeed the people of Guyana, deserve answers,” Ali said. He underscored that locating survivors remains the government’s immediate priority.
The ferry service between Georgetown and Port Kaituma serves a crucial route through Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo region, connecting remote communities in the interior. The incident has intensified scrutiny over maritime safety standards and regulatory oversight in the country.