News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sun. July 26, 2026: With 73 bodies now confirmed and 30 more people still unaccounted for, Guyana’s MV Barima ferry disaster has become the deadliest maritime tragedy in the Caribbean since the August 1, 1970 sinking of the MV Christena off St. Kitts and Nevis – a disaster that claimed 233 lives and remains the worst in the region’s recorded history.
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With 73 dead and 30 missing, Guyana’s MV Barima disaster is the Caribbean’s deadliest since the 1970 Christena tragedy
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Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips has said that of the roughly 179 people believed to have been aboard when the MV Barima capsized off the Essequibo coast on July 19th, 76 have been rescued, and 73 bodies recovered, with 30 people still missing. Search and recovery operations, now in their second week, will continue “for as long as is necessary,” Phillips said, adding that the overturned vessel has not yet been righted and additional remains are expected once it is.
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MV Barima tragedy
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as his Prime Minister
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the MV Barima was
MV Barima Tragedy Was ‘No Accident’ but Result of Corruption and Negligence – Village Voice News
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The Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP) has called for the immediate dismissal of Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) General Manager Yolanda Hughes-Smith and T&HD Board Chairperson Rosalinda Rasul, arguing that there is already sufficient evidence in the public domain to hold them politically accountable for the MV Barima disaster.
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In a statement issued by its National Directorate,, the organisation said the officials should not remain in office while investigations continue into one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime tragedies.
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“ We do not believe that we must wait for an investigation to call for their resignations because there is sufficient evidence in the public sphere to incriminate them on the grounds of gross negligence and incompetence,” the statement said.
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The MV Barima, a government-operated passenger and cargo ferry serving Guyana’s North West District, sank during its voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, claiming dozens of lives. The tragedy has prompted nationwide mourning and intensified scrutiny of the vessel’s condition, regulatory oversight and the Government’s management of the country’s ferry services.
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“ The deaths of so many innocent Guyanese babies, children, women and men cannot be in vain. For us, they are martyrs. Their death was not a result of a natural disaster or genuine accident. It was a result of the corruption, incompetence, and lack of any kind of accountability that has been normalized in Guyana.“
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The organisation described the sinking as evidence of broader governance failures, alleging that corruption, political influence and weak accountability have become entrenched throughout the country.
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“Everything is broken. Everything,” OVP stated, arguing that bribery and political connections have become commonplace in obtaining contracts, resolving official matters and conducting business.
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OVP pointed
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According to OVP, Cort said the vessel’s second engineer had warned that one of the engines required repairs before the ferry sailed but was reportedly told that he “didn’t know his job.” The organisation also cited reports that another engineer warned the vessel could not safely complete the voyage with one functioning engine but that his concerns were ignored.
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the crew felt
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say nothing to
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?” OVP asked
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the captain and
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with the tragedy
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As justification for its call for the removal of senior officials, OVP cited what it described as established facts, including video footage allegedly showing the ferry leaving port below its load line, numerous accounts that the vessel had long been in poor condition and recurring reports that it was unfit for service.
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The statement also broadened its criticism beyond the ferry disaster, describing Guyana as a “captured state” in which foreign governments and corporations exert undue influence over the country’s political and economic affairs.
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OVP criticised opposition parties for appealing to the United States, United Kingdom and European Union for assistance in combating corruption and also questioned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s call for Scotland Yard and the FBI to participate in the investigation.
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While agreeing that political divisions could undermine a purely domestic inquiry, the organization argued that regional participation would be a more appropriate alternative.
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“ We agree that partisan politics and intimidation will hinder an internal Guyanese investigation… however, there are many options for regional participation in the investigation,” the statement said.
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OVP said the lives lost aboard the MV Barima should serve as a turning point for the country, warning that unless corruption and systemic failures are addressed, similar tragedies could occur again.
COI into the capsizing of the MV Barima; General Notice to the Public – Department of Public Information, Guyana
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# COI into the capsizing of the MV Barima; General Notice to the Public
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The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, acting pursuant to Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, has established a Commission appointing and authorising a Chairman and four other Commissioners to inquire into the marine casualty involving the M/V “BARIMA” on the night of the 18 th July, 2026.
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The Objectives of the Commission of Inquiry are as follows:
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1. The Commission shall conduct a thorough, independent, impartial and comprehensive public inquiry into all circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the M/V “BARIMA”, the tragic loss of life, the response thereto, and all matters reasonably connected therewith.
2. The Commission shall establish, so far as the evidence permits, the full facts and sequence of events; determine the immediate, direct, contributing and systematic causes of the casualty; identify any shortcomings or failures; assess compliance with applicable legal and safety requirements; recommend appropriate accountability where warranted; and propose reforms necessary to strengthen maritime safety and prevent a recurrence.
3. In examining the technical aspects of the marine casualty, the Commission may have regard to relevant national laws and internationally recognised marine casualty investigation principles and standards, including, where applicable, the Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into the Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (“Casualty Investigation Code”). The Commission’s mandate shall not, however, be limited to a safety investigation and shall extend to public accountability, institutional performance and reform.
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Pursuant to the foregoing the Commission hereby invites members of the public, government and non-governmental organisations, private and public entities and international community who possess knowledge and relevant information and or recommendations to contact the Office of the Secretariat at:
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The Office of the Secretariat Arthur Chung Conference Centre 5-E Half Orchid Drive Liliendaal East Coast Demerara
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Submitted via email: presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com
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Or via WhatsApp on 592 674 7473
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Javed Shadick Secretary Commission of Inquiry