Guyana said hopes of finding more survivors are fading after the MV Barima capsized Saturday, with only two bodies recovered and officials now suspecting far more than the documented 133 people were aboard.
At least 35 of the 67 rescued passengers were not on the manifest, pushing investigators to focus on possible overloading, false passenger records, cargo loading and compliance with safety rules.
The rescued captain and at least one crew member tested positive for marijuana and remain in police custody, adding potential crew misconduct to the criminal probe.
Passengers said water had been seeping into the cargo area before the decades-old ferry went down off the Essequibo coast en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
The disaster has renewed scrutiny of long-running claims that clerks at state piers sell unlisted seats for cash on ferries that are vital in Guyana's road-poor interior.
With a fraudulent manifest and dozens missing, will we ever know how many people truly perished on the ghost ferry MV Barima?
A new ferry was bought in 2023. Why was an 87-year-old vessel with an impaired crew still carrying passengers to their deaths?
MV Barima Capsizing: Manifest Discrepancies, Crew Misconduct, and the Push for Maritime Safety Reform in Guyana (July 2026)
Overview
The MV Barima capsized, prompting immediate and ongoing rescue operations as officials worked to understand the full scope of the disaster. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill attributed the incident to the tide, based on statements from rescued passengers, while initial reports also suggested shifting tides or a big wave might have played a role. As of July 20, 2026, authorities had not yet shared the official cause, and rescue efforts were still actively underway. The situation remains critical, with the focus on search and rescue while investigations continue to determine what led to the tragedy.