Horror death toll from Caribbean ferry tragedy emerges amid major search operation

The horror death toll from a ferry tragedy in the Caribbean has been laid bare as a major search operations continues.

The MV Barima - a passenger and cargo vessel - sank off the coast of Guyana on Saturday evening, in what has been described as the country's worst maritime disaster in history.

In a press conference on Monday evening, Guyanese Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed that authorities have now recovered the bodies of 27 people.

It is understood that at least four of the recovered bodies are children.

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The Guyanese Government said on Sunday that 67 people have been rescued so far.

Mr Phillips said the location of the sunken vessel has been identified and the rescue operation remains ongoing.

Authorities believe there are still 83 people unaccounted for after determining that a total of 179 passengers boarded the ship on Sunday night.

The Guyanese Prime Minister said the operation's "focus is on finding people", as he confirmed that a team from neighbouring French Guiana are supporting the search efforts.

Mr Phillips also confirmed a rescue group from Trinidad and Tobago will also join the mission in the coming days.

Authorities are hopeful that more survivors may be found, with maritime experts noting that the sunken ferry may contain air pockets below the waves.

Investigators initially believed there were 116 passengers and 17 crew members on the vessel at the time of tragedy, as noted on the ship’s manifest.

However, Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, told reporters on Monday that the numbers on the ferry's manifest were false after only 35 of 67 people rescued were on the passenger list.

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The MV Barima's captain and first engineer have both been arrested after testing positive for cannabis.

Mr Edgehill said the revelations surrounding the incorrect manifest have left him "outraged".

"We are talking about operational breaches - people will be dealt with,” he said at Monday's press conference.

The Guyanese Prime Minister also backed calls for a full criminal investigation into the “deeply concerning and shocking” circumstances.

Mr Phillips said: “The Government has ordered an urgent and comprehensive investigation involving the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Maritime Administration Department, and other technical maritime experts.

“Let me be absolutely clear: where negligence, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law.”

MV Barima left the Guyanese capital of Georgetown at around 3.15pm on Saturday and was scheduled to dock at Port Kaituma, close to the English-speaking country's border with Venezuela.

The ship issued an urgent distress call at 11pm, prompting emergency services, along with civilian and commercial vessels, to race to the scene.

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