Ferry carrying 116 passengers sinks off Guyana coast, authorities say

BBC Published Jul 19, 2026 Reviewed Jul 19, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

The MV Barima ferry, built in 1939 and 40 meters (131 feet) long, sank off the coast of Guyana near Iron Punt carrying 116 passengers, with 53 people rescued as of the initial report.

116 passengers · MV Barima ferry passengers53 people · rescued passengers

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill reported that the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts, and six inflatable life crafts.

250 life jackets · MV Barima life jackets2 rigid life crafts · MV Barima rigid life crafts6 inflatable life crafts · MV Barima inflatable life crafts

A distress call regarding the MV Barima sinking was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 +1 BST), prompting an urgent search operation involving state and private boats, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

23.01 local time · distress call time3.01 +1 BST · distress call time

A ferry carrying 116 passengers has sunk off the coast of Guyana with 53 people so far rescued, local authorities have said.

The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt, on its route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 +1 BST), triggering an urgent search operation involving state and private boats, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said in a statement posted on social media.

The state of the operation is currently unclear and it is not known whether authorities expect to rescue the remaining passengers.

The MV Barima was built in 1939 and is 40m (131ft) long, according to a listing on VesselFinder.

Edghill said it was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts and six inflatable life crafts.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips is said to be leading the government response.

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