Ferry Carrying 133 Capsizes Off Guyana, Massive Search and Rescue Underway

A major search-and-rescue operation is underway off the coast of Guyana after a passenger ferry carrying 133 people capsized during an overnight voyage, leaving dozens unaccounted for despite the rescue of 67 passengers and crew, including 15 children. Authorities say they remain hopeful that more survivors will be found as emergency teams continue combing the waters.

The vessel, identified as the MV Barima, was traveling from the capital, Georgetown, to the northwestern town of Port Kaituma when it encountered trouble late Saturday night. According to Guyanese officials, the ferry issued a distress call at approximately 11:01 p.m. local time, triggering a large-scale rescue effort involving the Coast Guard, government agencies and privately owned boats operating in the area.

Authorities said the ferry capsized near the Pomeroon River along Guyana’s North Atlantic coastline. Rescue teams reportedly located the vessel after distress flares were fired, enabling aerial and marine units to reach the scene despite darkness and challenging sea conditions.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is overseeing the government’s emergency response, confirmed that 67 people had been rescued alive. Medical teams were dispatched aboard another government vessel to provide immediate treatment to survivors before they were transported ashore for further care. Officials have not yet confirmed any fatalities, and the exact number of people still missing remains the focus of ongoing rescue efforts.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and six inflatable life rafts, suggesting that many passengers may have been able to remain afloat while awaiting rescue. He added that every available maritime resource had been mobilized to support the search operation.

The MV Barima is a long-serving government-operated ferry that provides a vital transportation link between Georgetown and remote communities in Guyana’s North West District. The route is heavily relied upon by residents for travel, commerce and access to essential services, making the accident particularly significant for communities in the region.

As daylight improved visibility, rescue teams intensified efforts using patrol boats and aircraft to search for those still missing. Government officials expressed optimism that additional passengers could be located, stressing that the operation would continue until everyone aboard the ferry had been accounted for.

The cause of the capsize has not yet been determined. Authorities have indicated that a formal investigation will begin once rescue operations are completed, with investigators expected to examine weather conditions, the vessel’s mechanical status and eyewitness accounts to establish what led to the disaster.

The incident has shocked Guyana and prompted an outpouring of concern across the country, with officials urging the public to pray for those still missing. As families anxiously await news of their loved ones, the rescue mission remains a race against time, with hopes that more survivors will emerge from one of the country’s most serious maritime emergencies in recent years.