Une vague déferle sur un ferry au large des côtes guyanaises

A ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sank off the coast of Guyana, leaving 66 people missing and 67 rescued. The vessel, named MV Barima, capsized near the northwest coast of the South American nation after a distress call was made by its crew Saturday evening. According to Infrastructure Minister Juan Edghill, search and rescue operations were ongoing and making progress. The cause of the incident is believed to be a large wave, he stated. The ship had departed from Georgetown, the capital city, heading toward Port Kaituma in the western region of Essequibo. The MV Barima was built in 1939 and had been in service for 87 years before the accident. It was equipped with 250 life jackets, two lifeboats, and six inflatable life rafts. The ferry’s route was from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a journey that typically takes several hours. At the time of the incident, all aboard were reportedly asleep, according to Wayne Kitson, an 18-year-old survivor who spent nearly eight hours swimming in the water before being rescued. He expressed concern for his wife and daughter, both of whom were still missing. Initial reports indicated that 116 passengers and 17 crew members were on board. However, discrepancies emerged regarding the number of survivors. Prime Minister Mark Phillips initially told AFP that 53 people had been rescued, later clarifying that the figure had risen to 67. The government confirmed that among the rescued individuals were both passengers and crew members. Despite these updates, uncertainty remained about the exact number of missing persons due to inconsistencies in passenger records. Edghill addressed the public, urging families of the missing to contact authorities for information. He emphasized the difficulty of the situation and the need for continued efforts in the search operation. Two crew members tested positive for cannabis, according to government officials, though it was unclear how this factor might have influenced the incident. Search teams, including both state and private organizations, have been working around the clock to locate the remaining 66 individuals. The location of the wreck has not been disclosed publicly, but efforts continue using available resources. The MV Barima was last tracked by maritime monitoring systems before it disappeared beneath the waves. The tragedy has struck Guyana, a country with a population of just one million people, particularly hard. As a small English-speaking nation in South America, the loss of so many lives represents a profound national crisis. Officials remain hopeful that more survivors will be found, but they caution against premature conclusions. The search continues, with no definitive answers yet on the fate of those still unaccounted for.