A 15-member team from the French Armed Forces in French Guiana has arrived in the Essequibo region to assist with the ongoing search, rescue and recovery operation following the sinking of the MV Barima.
President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the deployment in a Facebook post on Monday, saying the team is led by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Touboul and comprises 12 specialist divers, two medics and one mechanic.
The French contingent will support Guyanese authorities as they continue efforts to locate those still missing after the maritime tragedy.
The MV Barima capsized late Saturday night while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma after issuing a distress signal off the Pomeroon coast. The incident triggered a massive multi-agency response involving the Guyana Coast Guard, the Guyana Defence Force, emergency responders, private marine operators and volunteers.
As of Monday afternoon, 10 bodies had been recovered, while search and recovery operations remained ongoing. Authorities have also rescued 67 passengers and crew members, and the Government has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The French team joins local and regional responders already deployed in one of Guyana’s largest maritime search and recovery operations in recent years.
