圭亚那国营渡轮MV Barima在周六晚间于埃塞奎博海岸沉没，这是该国有记录以来最严重的海上灾难 [2]。船上共有约179人，包括船舱名单上登记的116名乘客和17名船员 [1][2]。
截至目前，已有76人获救 [2]，发现并回收的遗体数量存在差异报道：一份数据显示27具遗体已被发现 [1]，另一份则称已回收65具遗体，尚有约40具遗体未发现 [2]。死亡人数估计约100人 [2]。总理马克·菲利普斯表示"死亡人数预计将急剧上升" [1]。
船舶于2024年曾进行干船坞检修，原定于10月进行重大维修 [1]。事故原因仍在调查中，官员怀疑渡轮可能被非法超载 [1]。获救的船长及至少一名船员的毒品检测呈阳性，已被警方拘留 [1]。
幸存者指控渡轮存在超载情况，且船员忽视进水警告 [2]。长期以来，乘客多年投诉票务员非法向朋友和关联人士出售座位 [1]。
菲利普斯总理承诺，"人们将根据调查结果负责，如果确立疏忽、不当行为或刑事犯罪，责任人将面临法律制裁" [2]。
救援工作得到相邻国家支援，包括法属圭亚那派遣的船只、侦察机、救援人员和潜水员 [1]。
An 87-year-old state-owned ferry, the MV Barima, sank off Guyana's Essequibo coast on Saturday evening while traveling from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma in the northwest, resulting in what authorities describe as the country's worst maritime disaster on record [1][2]. The vessel was carrying approximately 179 people, comprising 116 passengers and 17 crew members according to the manifest [1][2].
Rescue operations recovered 69 survivors, with reports indicating 76 people rescued by Wednesday [1][2]. The death toll has risen significantly, with 65 to 67 bodies recovered as of recent counts, including at least four children [1][2]. An estimated 40 additional bodies remain unaccounted for, and authorities anticipate the death toll will climb substantially [1][2].
Prime Minister Mark Phillips stated that "the death toll is expected to rise sharply" and vowed accountability, saying "people will be held responsible based on the investigation, and if negligence, misconduct, or criminal activity is established, those responsible will face legal consequences" [1][2].
Investigators are examining several factors surrounding the incident. Officials suspect the ferry may have been illegally overloaded, and authorities have detained the ship's captain and at least one crew member after they tested positive for cannabis [1][2]. Multiple passengers have previously complained that ticket agents illegally sold seats to friends and associates over an extended period [1].
The vessel had undergone drydock maintenance in 2024 and was scheduled for major repairs in October [1]. Regional partners, including France, have deployed vessels, reconnaissance aircraft, and rescue personnel, including divers from French Guiana, to assist in the recovery effort [1].