The death toll from the MV Barima tragedy has risen to 65 as search, rescue and recovery efforts continue, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said during an afternoon briefing at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Kingston on Wednesday.
Phillips reported that three additional bodies were recovered since the previous update, bringing Wednesday’s total to five. Of the 65 victims recovered so far, 44 have been positively identified by family members, while 23 have been released to relatives for burial.
The number of rescued passengers and crew remains unchanged at 76.
The Prime Minister noted that technical teams are continuing assessments of the capsized vessel to determine the safest and most effective way to right it and improve access for diving teams.
The recovery plan involves repositioning the vessel before installing marine salvage airbags, or buoyancy balloons, around the wreckage to restore buoyancy. Once refloated, the vessel will be towed closer to shore to facilitate further search and recovery operations.
A total of 19 vessels and three aircraft are currently involved in the operation. The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department have also deployed smaller vessels to conduct searches in inland waterways for any remaining passengers.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting affected families and ensuring that every available resource continues to be deployed until the recovery operation is complete.
