Guyana ferry disaster death toll nears 100 as captain is detained

The expected death toll from a ferry disaster off Guyana's coast has climbed to around 100, with authorities facing mounting pressure to explain how the country's worst maritime accident in decades occurred. Officials said 76 of the roughly 179 people believed to have been aboard survived, while 53 bodies had been recovered as divers continued searching for those still missing.

The 87-year-old vessel, MV Barima, left Georgetown for Port Kaituma on a Saturday but began taking on water and capsized off the Essequibo coast. Although its manifest listed 133 people, authorities now believe as many as 179 were aboard at the time. Families gathered in the northern town of Charity as rescue and recovery efforts continued, with anger growing over how long it took to reach survivors, some of whom said they spent hours stranded in the water.

Passengers have alleged the ferry was dangerously overloaded with both people and heavy cargo, including engines, vehicles, fuel containers and commercial goods, with one survivor describing the vessel as more crowded than on any previous trip. Survivors also allege the ferry suffered engine trouble shortly after departure but that the crew attempted repairs at sea rather than turning back, and that early concerns about water entering the vessel were dismissed as routine.

Government officials maintain the ferry was within its capacity limits for both passengers and cargo, but acknowledge that conflicting accounts make it too early to draw firm conclusions, with the head of the country's Maritime Administration Department calling for a full investigation into how the vessel was loaded and whether supervisory staff acted properly. The rescued captain and at least one other crew member have been detained, with both reportedly testing positive for marijuana. A recovery operation using flotation balloons has since begun to bring the sunken vessel closer to shore to support the investigation.

Officials said the ageing Barima remained in service because a replacement ferry purchased from India, valued at close to $13 million, was awaiting completion of a dedicated pier at Port Kaituma. The vessel last underwent major repairs in 2024, with further maintenance scheduled for October. Guyana's prime minister said the government had nothing to hide and pledged that anyone found responsible for negligence or criminal wrongdoing would face legal consequences.