GEORGETOWN, Guyana – GUYANA remains in mourning after authorities on Monday confirmed that the sunken MV Barima has been located, as search and recovery efforts continue for dozens of missing passengers.
The vessel capsized late Saturday (Jul. 18) while travelling to Region One with what was initially believed to be 113 registered passengers on board. However, confusion persists over the actual number of people aboard, with officials now estimating that as many as 180 passengers may have been on the vessel—far exceeding the official manifest.
Authorities have so far recovered 27 bodies, while more than 80 people remain unaccounted for. Media reports from Georgetown indicate that the 87-year-old vessel had previously been condemned and was not authorised to operate when it sank in the Essequibo River.
With assistance from ExxonMobil Guyana, local fishermen and other agencies, authorities were able to locate the wreck.
"Through the aggressive and coordinated efforts of all the responding agencies and stakeholders, the location of the MV Barima was positively confirmed," Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips said.
He credited fisherman Haresh Singh, who also participated in rescue operations, along with local fisherfolk and ExxonMobilGuyana, whose sea and land surveys helped pinpoint the vessel resting on the riverbed near the location where the initial distress call originated.
The tragedy has now shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery operation as maritime authorities continue searching for those still missing while the government investigates the circumstances surrounding the disaster. Officials said 67 people were rescued.
However, only 35 of those survivors were listed on the vessel's manifest, further highlighting discrepancies over the number of passengers on board. Survivors have since recounted their harrowing experiences.
Meanwhile, Guyana's Ministry of Public Works announced that the entire management team responsible for the loading, dispatch and overall management of the MV Barima has been sent home pending the investigation.
According to the ministry, the move is intended to protect the integrity of the inquiry by preventing any possible interference with evidence. Authorities have already secured surveillance footage from the Kingston Goods Wharf—the vessel's departure point—which investigators believe will be critical in determining the sequence of events leading up to the sinking.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill also met with senior officials of the Transport and Harbours Department to formally notify them of the suspensions and outline the next administrative steps. Regional leaders have continued to express condolences and solidarity with the Government and people of Guyana, including St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Nevis Premier Mark Brantley.
In a social media post, Premier Brantley offered prayers for the victims and the Guyanese community in St. Kitts and Nevis. "We pray for God's grace and mercy that all will be found alive and returned safely to their families. Guyana, we stand with you at this difficult time," he wrote.
