I corpi recuperati dopo che un traghetto passeggeri che trasportava oltre 100 persone è affondato al largo della Guyana

Bodies were recovered from the wrecked passenger ferry MV Barima, which sank off the coast of Guyana late Saturday, according to officials. The vessel, carrying over 100 people, capsized approximately seven miles from shore near the North Atlantic coast. At least 27 bodies have been retrieved so far, with search and rescue operations continuing as authorities work to locate the remaining 83 missing individuals. The MV Barima was traveling from Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, to the village of Port Kaituma when it overturned. Initially, officials estimated the number of passengers aboard to be 133, but after reviewing footage of the boarding process, they revised the count to 179. A distress call was received by air traffic control around 11 p.m. Saturday, prompting a rapid response. However, early efforts were hindered by darkness and the lack of vessels equipped with scanning technology, forcing rescuers to rely on visual and auditory cues. By Sunday, companies in the oil and gas industry had deployed boats with advanced scanning equipment, significantly expanding the search area to 1,040 square kilometers from its initial coverage of 400 square kilometers. Divers were also sent to explore the wreckage in hopes of finding additional survivors or bodies. The government has activated emergency services to coordinate these efforts, emphasizing the urgency of locating all missing persons. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill confirmed that the captain and at least one other crew member tested positive for marijuana, suggesting potential impairment during the voyage. This revelation came after initial statements denying any neglect by the ferry operator. Edghill also noted discrepancies in the passenger manifest, as several individuals rescued were not listed, complicating efforts to determine the total number of people still unaccounted for. The ferry had undergone maintenance in 2024 and was scheduled for dry docking later this year, a routine procedure to inspect and repair the vessel. Despite this, the incident has raised concerns about safety standards and regulatory oversight. Guyanese Prime Minister Mark Phillips stated that the vessel was licensed to carry over 300 passengers and was equipped with 250 life jackets, six inflatable life rafts, and two rigid life rafts. However, the ferry reportedly carried a cargo weight of 268 tons, just under its maximum capacity of 284 tons. Leon Murray, a passenger on the ferry, described the chaos following the capsizing. About four hours after departure, someone shouted that the boat was sinking. Murray managed to reach the surface using a life jacket and eventually reunited with his son and three others clinging to a floating box. While he and his son survived, Murray expressed despair over the loss of his wife, daughter, and four grandchildren, stating that “six of them gone.” Prime Minister Phillips announced that an investigation has begun into alleged wrongdoing by members of the police force, defense force, and maritime administration department. He emphasized that anyone found to have committed negligence, misconduct, or criminal acts will face legal consequences. The ongoing search continues, with authorities urging patience and vigilance as they strive to bring closure to affected families.