MV Barima Disaster In Guyana: P.M. Kamla Persad-Bissessar Issues Statement — Dozens Dead And Missing

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UPDATE (29/07/26): The Government of Guyana has confirmed that a survivor of the MV Barima disaster has died, as an extensive search-and-recovery operation involving three (3) aircraft and fifteen (15) vessels continues across the country’s Northwestern waters — stretching West to Waini Point and East to Adventure.

The latest update comes just hours after the vessel’s Captain and two (2) crew members appeared before a Guyanese Court, charged with the murders of the seventy-three (73) victims whose bodies have been recovered so far.

The Government said seventy-seven (77) people were initially rescued, but one (1) survivor later died, reducing the number of survivors to seventy-six (76).

Authorities also confirmed that out of the seventy-three (73) bodies that have been recovered, five (5) have yet to be positively identified — while an estimated thirty (30) people remain unaccounted for.

UPDATE (22/07/26): President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, revealed this morning (Wednesday 22nd July, 2026) that authorities are preparing to reposition the wreck of the MV Barima in order to allow divers to gain safer access. Dr. Ali announced the new strategy to accelerate recovery efforts while speaking during an interview with multimedia journalist Neil Marks of News Room Inc., a prominent media outlet in Guyana. President Ali said the vessel’s current position has made it extremely dangerous and difficult for divers to enter the wreck, significantly complicating the recovery mission.

He said a specialized recovery plan has been implemented which will move the sunken vessel into shallower waters, where divers can safely conduct operations before the wreck is eventually lifted from the seabed. “The vessel is in a position that makes it very difficult for divers to enter safely,” the President said, adding that relocating the MV Barima is considered a critical step in advancing the operation.

President Ali also disclosed that Guyana is receiving international assistance as the recovery mission intensifies. He confirmed that French divers have joined the effort, while Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago are also providing support as authorities work to complete the highly-technical operation.

The President did not indicate when the vessel is expected to be repositioned but said the recovery mechanism now in place is intended to speed up efforts at the site of the wreck.

UPDATE (21/07/26): The confirmed number of deaths after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana has risen to fifty-three (53) as hopes of finding additional survivors dwindle.

Prime Minister of Guyana, Mark Phillips, said that as of 6:00 PM (22:00 GMT) today (Tuesday 21st July, 2026), seventy-six (76) people had been rescued alive, but dozens more remained missing. According to Phillips, 179 people were on board the MV Barima — many more than the 116 passengers and seventeen (17) crew members listed on the vessel’s manifest.

An investigation is currently underway to determine what caused the 87-year-old ferry to capsize. The Captain and a crew member are said to be in custody after both tested positive for cannabis, officials recently announced.

Prime Minister Phillips insisted that “where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The body of this article has been updated with new details.

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has responded to the recent capsizing of the MV Barima near the Pomeroon River in Guyana, with over two (2) dozen confirmed deaths and nearly seven (7) dozen still missing.

In a statement issued on Monday (20th July, 2026), the Prime Minister said, “The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is deeply saddened by the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima and the significant loss of life this incident may have caused. On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, I extend our heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and to the people of Guyana during this time of profound sorrow.”

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar added, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy, especially the families of those who remain missing or who have lost loved ones. We also pay tribute to the rescue teams whose courage, dedication, and tireless efforts continue as they work to bring survivors to safety. In this regard, air and naval assets and human resources from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force are lending support to recovery efforts. Trinidad and Tobago stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Guyana as they anxiously await the safe return of their loved ones. We share in your grief and hope that those still unaccounted for will be found as search and rescue operations continue.”

According to reports, the MV Barima capsized late Saturday night (18th July, 2026) while travelling from the capital, Georgetown, to Port Kaituma in the North of the country, with more than 170 people allegedly on board the vessel.

The 131-foot long vessel was built in 1939, according to a listing on VesselFinder. The passenger ferry is said to have tilted after being hit by a large wave, with water quickly rushing in, within seconds. A distress call was received at 11:01 PM on Saturday (03:01 GMT Sunday), triggering an initial search operation involving Government teams and privately-owned boats.

The tragedy has since prompted a massive multi-agency response involving the Guyana Defence Force, regional partners and international assistance, including French divers.

The sunken vessel was located on the seabed on Monday (20th July, 2026) after fisherman Haresh Singh identified its location, allowing divers to begin a more intensive recovery effort.

As of this morning (Tuesday 21st July, 2026), twenty-seven (27) bodies have been recovered, sixty-nine (69) persons were rescued and eighty-three (83) remain missing.

In a statement issued on Sunday (19th July, 2026), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said it is “deeply saddened by the capsizing of the passenger ferry, MV Barima, off the Atlantic coast near the Pomeroon River. The Community continues to closely follow the ongoing search and rescue operation to account for the passengers and crew. We extend our prayers and support to the families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. CARICOM pays tribute to the courage, dedication and selfless efforts of the rescue teams and all who are responding in the aftermath of the incident, led by relevant arms of the Government of Guyana, and including private vessel operators, who mobilized overnight in challenging conditions to save lives.”

The statement concluded by saying, “CARICOM stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Guyana, in particular, the families and communities that are being impacted by this unfolding disaster.”

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the tragic capsizing.

More on this as it becomes available.

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