PARAMARIBO – The government of Suriname has reacted with deep sadness to the disaster involving the ferry MV Barima, which capsized off the coast of Guyana on Saturday evening. There were hundreds of passengers and crew members on board. The ship disaster has now claimed the lives of dozens of people, while rescuers are still searching for dozens of missing people.
President Jennifer Simons, on behalf of the government and the people of Surinamese, conveyed her sincere condolences to the government and people of Guyana. She expressed her condolences to the relatives of the victims, the families of the missing and everyone affected by the tragedy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Melvin Bouva also condoled with his Guyanese counterpart, Hugh Todd. Suriname has also offered to provide support where necessary in dealing with the disaster.
The government is closely monitoring developments and expresses the hope that the ongoing search and rescue operations will yield as many survivors as possible. As a close neighbor and partner within the CARICOM, Suriname emphasizes its solidarity with Guyana during this difficult period.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Guyana Country Office has also expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Guyana. The UN agency expressed its support to the families of the victims, the missing and the survivors, and appreciated the efforts of the Guyana Defense Force Coast Guard, emergency services, medical personnel, fishermen and others involved in the rescue operation. UNDP stated its readiness to support the Guyanese authorities also during the recovery period.
According to the latest figures from Guyanese authorities, at least 27 people have been killed, while 69 people on board have been rescued alive. 83 people are still missing. Prime Minister Mark Phillips stated that it has now been determined with certainty that 179 people were on board the MV Barima. Previous passenger lists turned out to be incomplete.
The ferry had left the capital Georgetown on Saturday afternoon bound for Port Kaituma in the Essequibo region. About eight hours after departure the ship capsized. The search has now been expanded to an area of more than 1,070 square kilometers. The Guyanese authorities are supported by local fishermen and a French rescue team from French Guiana, consisting of divers, doctors and technical staff.
An official investigation has now been launched into the cause of the accident. According to Prime Minister Phillips, two crew members tested positive for marijuana after the disaster. It is also being investigated why the passenger registration did not correspond to the actual number of passengers.
The MV Barima, built in 1939, provided an important connection between Georgetown and the remote communities in the Essequibo region. The maritime disaster is considered one of the most serious maritime accidents in Guyana’s recent history.
