Mark Phillips confirms 53 deaths and 77 rescues following the capsizing of the MV Barima ferry off the coast of Guyana.

Mark Phillips, the Prime Minister of Guyana, confirmed that the death toll from the MV Barima ferry disaster has risen to at least 53 people. The vessel capsized late Saturday night while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, leaving dozens of passengers still missing. While the official manifest initially listed 133 people, the administration determined the ferry was actually carrying 179 passengers. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill noted that the disaster was exacerbated by an inaccurate passenger list and drug use among the crew, as the captain and at least one crew member tested positive for marijuana. Although the vessel was within its cargo capacity, the captain and several crew members were taken into police custody. The administration launched an investigation into the incident to identify potential negligence or misconduct. Search and rescue operations continue to expand, utilizing local fisherfolk, private vessels, and divers from France to locate the remaining survivors and victims of what officials described as the country's worst maritime disaster in decades.

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