Ferry Capsizes Off Guyana Coast, At Least 27 Dead, Investigation Underway
A ferry carrying up to 179 people capsized off the coast of Guyana over the weekend. Survivors described a chaotic sinking, with one reporting it went down in seconds. As of Monday, 69 people had been rescued, and 27 bodies,…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 21, 2026 —
A ferry carrying up to 179 people capsized off the coast of Guyana over the weekend, resulting in at least 27 confirmed deaths, including four children. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 69 individuals having been rescued as of Monday.
Survivors recounted a harrowing experience, describing the sinking as chaotic. One survivor reported that the vessel went down in mere seconds. Authorities expect the death toll to increase as recovery operations continue.
An investigation into the cause of the disaster has been launched. Preliminary findings suggest that the use of marijuana by some crew members may have been a contributing factor. The ferry, identified as MV Barima, was also reportedly overloaded. Overloading is described as a frequent occurrence at state-run terminals, where the unofficial sale of seats is common practice.
The exact number of people on board the MV Barima at the time of the incident is still being determined, with estimates placing the total at up to 179 individuals. The capsizing occurred off the coast of Guyana during the weekend, prompting a significant search and rescue operation.
Officials are working to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the sinking. The recovered bodies are being identified, and further analysis of the vessel and the events leading up to the capsizing are expected.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
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