Death Toll From Guyana's Boating Tragedy Nears 50

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The death toll from last Saturday’s boating incident has risen to 41 and eight others were rescued as the search continues along the Essequibo Coast, the Guyana government said in a statement on Tuesday.

A diver prepares to enter the waters as the search continues for survivors of last Saturday’s boating incident (Photo courtesy NEWS SOURCE)It said that 14 bodies were recovered and that 77 persons have been rescued as of 2.00 pm (local time) as the search and rescue operation continues with 16 vessels deployed within the wreckage area.

President Irfaan Ali Irfaan Ali Tuesday said proclaimed three days of National Mourning beginning on July 22.

The government estimates that 179 persons, including 18 crew members, were aboard the 87-year old boat when it went down almost 10 miles from the Essequibo Coast late on Saturday night.

The official manifest had 116 passengers and a 17-member crew. The captain and another member of the crew have since been detained as the probe continues into the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.

“The designated search area has been expanded by an additional 400 square miles,

extending up to Waini Point, to maximize the likelihood of locating any remaining persons,” the government statement said, adding that French and local divers are continuing underwater search and recovery operations at the wreckage site.

“The identification of recovered bodies is currently being undertaken by family members at Suddie Hospital,”  he statement said, adding that stakeholders involved in these efforts are advised that any bodies retrieved during search and rescue and/or recovery operations should be immediately transferred to the custody of the Guyana Police Force at the established facility at the Charity River Dam.

In the proclamation, President Ali said that “the tragic loss of lives, arising from the disaster involving the M.V. Barima, has brought profound and widespread sorrow and immeasurable grief throughout our nation.

“At this time of deep national sadness, as we pause to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives, to stand with their families, to offer comfort to survivors, and to demonstrate our collective compassion and solidarity,” he is proclaiming that the next three days starting from Wednesday “be observed as Three Days of National Mourning throughout Guyana in honour of the victims of the M.V. Barima tragedy”

He said during this period of national mourning all national flags of Guyana shall be flown at half-mast on Government buildings, public institutions and other appropriate locations throughout the country as a mark of respect and remembrance for those whose lives were lost.

Wednesday is also declared a National Day of Prayer and “on this day, Guyanese of all faiths and communities are called upon to unite in prayer, reflection and remembrance for the victims of this tragedy, for the families who mourn, for the survivors, and for the strength and healing of our nation.

“A National Day of Prayer and Remembrance will be held at the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown, where religious leaders, families of victims, survivors, community representatives and citizens from across Guyana will gather in a spirit of prayer, reflection and solidarity.”

Ali said that Thursday shall be observed as a Night of Reflection and Prayer in Port Kaituma.

“The people of Port Kaituma and neighbouring communities are invited to come together to remember those who have been lost, to comfort one another and to offer prayers for all affected by this national tragedy,”  Ali said, adding that Friday will be observed as a Night of Reflection and Prayer in Mabaruma.

“The people of Mabaruma and the wider North-West District are invited to join in remembrance, prayer and reflection as the nation continues to mourn and support those impacted by this tragedy.”

Ali said he is encouraging the religious community – including churches, mosques, temples and all places of worship-together with civic organisations and citizens throughout Guyana, to host candlelight gatherings during this period of national mourning as symbols of remembrance and unity.

“I further encourage religious communities across the country to begin tonight, Tuesday 21st July 2026, with candlelight vigils and moments of prayer in memory of the victims of this disaster.”

Meanwhile, an opposition legislator Sherod Duncan has been arrested for allegedly operating a drone close to the site where families and others waiting to identify victims of the ferry tragedy are gathered in Charity, Essequibo.

Duncan said his drone was providing coverage of the recovery boats offshore and the nearby areas and that a police officer had demanded that he discontinued his operation.

He said he had complied while expressing his disapproval with the way the officer approached him, but was later told that the officers were only following instructions.

A third senior officer later showed up and told the Member of Parliament that he would be taken into custody for operating a drone in a restricted area. The entire incident was captured on camera by other opposition legislators.