The total number of people believed to have been aboard the MV Barima when it sank off the Essequibo Coast has been revised to 179, including a crew of 18, authorities said, as search and rescue operations continued.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips gave the updated figure during a press briefing on Monday evening, saying it was established after investigators conducted an overnight review of CCTV footage and other evidence gathered as part of the ongoing probe.
“We arrive at the figure of 179. That includes a crew of 18,” Phillips said, adding that the revised count came from the work of an investigative team set up immediately after the incident.
Of those aboard, 69 passengers and crew have been rescued and 27 bodies recovered, leaving 83 people still unaccounted for, Phillips said.
“We have since rescued 69. We have recovered 27 bodies, and the remainder is 83 that is deemed as missing,” he said.
Despite the rising death toll, Phillips said authorities continue to treat the operation as a search and rescue mission, adding there remains hope that survivors could still be found.
“Our focus remains on rescuing the passengers and the crew from the boat,” he said. “We still have hope that people are out there who are alive and therefore we continue our search and rescue activities,” the prime minister said.
Search efforts have been intensified with support from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration Department, local fishermen, private sector partners and international assistance including French military divers.
The Government has activated protocols for the recovery, identification and transportation of victims, while counselling and other support continue to be provided to affected families.
The investigation into the circumstances of the sinking is ongoing, with the revised passenger count expected to assist investigators as search and recovery efforts continue.
