27 Dead, Dozens Missing After Ferry Capsizes Off Guyana Coast

At least 27 people have died after the passenger ferry MV Barima capsized off the coast of Guyana on Saturday night. Prime Minister Mark Phillips said 69 people had been rescued, while 83 others remained missing as search and rescue operations continued.

Divers are searching the site of the disaster, and authorities have urged families who believe their relatives were on board to come forward. Phillips said the government’s immediate priority was to locate survivors, adding that officials still hoped more people could be found alive.

The government has launched an investigation into the tragedy, with Phillips vowing legal action if negligence or criminal wrongdoing is established. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill alleged that the ferry operators had attempted to “cheat the system,” noting that while the official passenger list recorded 133 people, authorities now believe about 179 individuals were on board.