Key facts
- The death toll from a capsized ferry off Guyana's coast has risen to 41.
- 179 people were on board the ferry when it overturned late Saturday.
- At least 77 people have been rescued.
- The captain and at least one crew member tested positive for marijuana.
- Authorities are investigating an inaccurate passenger manifest and suspected crew drug use as potential causes.
The death toll from a ferry that capsized off the coast of Guyana has risen to 41, with authorities recovering 14 additional bodies. The vessel, MV Barima, overturned late Saturday with 179 people on board, and 77 have been rescued so far, while 83 remain unaccounted for.
Authorities are investigating potential causes for the disaster, including an inaccurate passenger manifest and suspected drug use by the crew. The captain and at least one other crew member tested positive for marijuana. The ferry was traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it capsized approximately seven miles offshore.
Search and rescue operations, initially hampered by darkness and a lack of specialized equipment, have been intensified with the deployment of 16 vessels, including those with scanners from oil and gas companies. Divers have been activated to search within the sunken ferry, which was located resting on the seabed about nine miles offshore. The search area has been expanded to over 1,000 square kilometers.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed the recovery of bodies and stated that an investigation has been launched into potential wrongdoing by members of the police force, defense force, and maritime administration department. The ferry was reportedly carrying 268 tons of cargo, below its capacity, and was licensed to carry over 300 passengers, with 250 life jackets available.