Guyana Ferry Disaster: 27 Dead, 83 Missing After Boat Capsizes; MV Barima Captain Tests Positive For Marijuana

The death toll in the MV Barima ferry disaster in Guyana has risen to 27, with 69 people rescued and 83 still missing as search operations continue.

Search and rescue operations are continuing after the MV Barima ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana, leaving 27 people dead, 69 rescued and 83 still missing, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said on Monday. The MV Barima overturned late Saturday while traveling from Georgetown to the northwestern village of Port Kaituma. Authorities said the vessel had 133 people on board, although the rescue effort has been complicated by an inaccurate passenger manifest.

Prime Minister Phillips said the operation remains focused on locating those still unaccounted for. He added that Guyana has been joined by 15 divers from the French government, while Trinidad and Tobago has also deployed personnel and assets to assist with the search.

Phillips said search teams would continue working through the night using every available resource until all possible efforts had been exhausted.

Guyana ferry disaster

Authorities said air traffic control received a distress call from the ferry around 11 p.m. on Saturday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the initial response was hindered by darkness and the lack of vessels equipped with scanners, forcing rescuers to rely on sight and sound. Search teams have since expanded the search area to 1,040 square kilometres with assistance from private energy sector vessels and divers.

Officials said the ferry’s captain and at least one crew member are in police custody after testing positive for marijuana.

Authorities also found that several rescued passengers were not listed on the ferry’s manifest, raising concerns about inaccuracies in the passenger list and making it difficult to determine how many people remain missing.

The government said the vessel underwent maintenance in 2024 and was scheduled for dry docking later this year. Prime Minister Phillips has launched an investigation into possible institutional failures and said anyone found responsible for negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing would face legal action.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected families as the multi-agency search and rescue operation continues in what officials described as Guyana’s worst maritime disaster in recent history.