圭亚那一艘87岁的国营渡轮MV Barima在大西洋沿海水域沉没，确认死亡人数已升至72人[1]。政府部门估计最终死亡人数可能达到100人[1]，这将成为该国有记录以来最为严重的海难事故。
船上估计载有179人[1]，其中76人已获救[1]。船票清单显示登记了116名乘客和17名船员[1]。然而，幸存者对船舶是否超载存在异议[1]，尽管政府结论认为船舶未超载[1]。
该渡轮于周六从乔治敦出发，前往凯特马[1]。根据官方记录，船舶曾于2024年进行过最后一次干坞维修[1]。
救援行动已启动，来自巴西和特立尼达和多巴哥等国的国际潜水员正在进行打捞工作[1]。圭亚那总理Mark Phillips表示："政府将继续与所有受影响者团结一心……将部署所有可用资源，直到行动得出安全、有尊严的结论。"[1]
警方对3人进行了刑事调查[1]，被拘留者包括获救船长、一名测试呈大麻阳性的船员以及海事监督[1]。
An 87-year-old state-owned ferry, the MV Barima, has sunk in Atlantic waters off Guyana's coast, with confirmed fatalities reaching 72 people as of Thursday [1]. The government estimates the death toll could reach as high as 100, potentially marking the nation's deadliest maritime disaster on record [1].
The vessel, which departed Georgetown bound for Port Kaituma on Saturday, is believed to have carried approximately 179 people [1]. Authorities have confirmed that 76 people were rescued [1]. Official records indicate 116 passengers and 17 crew members were registered on the passenger manifest, though the government has concluded the ferry was not overloaded [1]. Some survivors, however, have reported believing the vessel was carrying excess passengers [1].
International diving teams from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago are conducting salvage operations in the waters [1]. Three individuals have been taken into criminal custody in connection with the incident, including the rescued captain, a crew member who tested positive for cannabis, and a maritime supervisor [1].
Prime Minister Mark Phillips stated that "the government will continue to stand in solidarity with all those affected... will deploy all available resources until the operation reaches a safe and dignified conclusion" [1]. The ferry last underwent dry dock maintenance in 2024 [1].