– Brazilian Navy, Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard join ongoing search
– death toll rises to 65; 44 victims identified

THE search and recovery operation at the site of the tragic MV Barima disaster intensified on Wednesday with the arrival of additional regional support, as the Brazilian Navy and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard joined efforts to recover the remaining victims and raise the sunken vessel.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during Wednesday evening’s press briefing during which he stated that the two regional agencies had deployed maritime assets and personnel to assist with diving operations and other specialised recovery activities.
With the arrival of the additional resources, a total of 19 vessels and three aircraft are now engaged in the operation.
PM Phillips said the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) have also deployed smaller vessels to conduct searches further inland in an effort to locate any remaining passengers.
Technical teams continue to assess the capsized vessel to determine the safest and most effective way to right it and improve access for divers working at the site.
He explained that the current recovery plan involves repositioning the vessel before installing marine salvage airbags, also known as buoyancy balloons, around the wreckage to restore buoyancy. Once refloated, the vessel will be towed closer to shore, allowing divers greater access to continue recovery operations.
Since Tuesday’s update, three additional bodies were recovered, bringing the number of bodies recovered on Wednesday to five.
As a result, the total number of bodies recovered since the operation began has increased to 65.
Of those, 44 have been positively identified by relatives, while 23 bodies have already been released to families for burial.
PM Phillips said regional authorities, together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, continue to work closely with grieving families to facilitate identification, release of the deceased and funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, the number of survivors remains unchanged at 76.
The Prime Minister also reminded the nation that President Dr Irfaan Ali has declared three days of national mourning in honour of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Phillips reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing the recovery effort until every available avenue has been exhausted.
“The Government of Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ongoing recovery effort, providing assistance to affected families and ensuring that every available resource continues to be deployed until the operation is complete,” he said.
Providing updates on the criminal investigation, it was confirmed that another individual has been detained in connection with the tragedy.
In addition to the captain, who remains in police custody, authorities said the superintendent responsible for overseeing the loading of the vessel has also been detained after voluntarily reporting to the Criminal Investigation Department with his attorney for questioning.
Officials said investigators are still gathering statements before forwarding the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who will determine what charges, if any, should be laid.
As investigations progress, an extension has also been granted by the court to continue holding those who had been held in custody for 72 hours since the incident.
It was disclosed that all investigative procedures are being conducted in accordance with the law and established policing protocols.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that the Government intends to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) as soon as possible after recovery operations conclude.
As such, he indicated that questions relating to compensation for victims’ families will be addressed after the commission completes its work and submits its recommendations.
“For now, the focus is not on compensation,” Phillips said, noting that the government’s immediate priority remains recovering victims, supporting families and covering funeral-related expenses.
Officials also disclosed that reconciliation of the passenger manifest remains ongoing, as investigators have confirmed that both rescued passengers and recovered victims include persons whose names did not appear on the vessel’s official manifest.
Meanwhile, officials said drone operations have been expanded to assist in searching vegetation and shoreline areas close to the coast. Aircraft and drone operators are coordinating closely to prevent interference and ensure safe operations in the airspace over the recovery site.