A Nation Says Goodbye

By Staff Reporter
| July 26, 2026

By Staff Reporter
- July 26, 2026

AS Guyana continues to mourn the victims of the MV Barima tragedy, families, friends, communities and government officials gathered across the country over the weekend to bid farewell to loved ones whose lives were cut short in one of the nation’s deadliest maritime disasters.

Argeny Williams was laid to rest in his hometown of White Water, Region One, where Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat and Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley joined relatives and residents in mourning his loss. Days earlier, his wife, Cleriannys Valenzuela, and their two-year-old daughter, Argelys “Kelly” Williams, were buried at De Hoop, Mahaica. The family had been travelling from Mahaica to White Water to visit relatives when the MV Barima sank.

Three-year-old Alicia Atkinson was laid to rest following a viewing at her family’s home in Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and a funeral service at the Kairuni Assembly of God Church, where her family worshipped.

Maryann Bernard, 68, was laid to rest in Port Kaituma, Region One. She had travelled to Georgetown to visit her daughter, who was in Guyana from the Cayman Islands, and was returning home aboard the MV Barima when the vessel sank. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Brown-Shader attended the funeral.

Brothers Omarius Europe, 8, and Orwin Europe, 6, were laid to rest in their hometown of Port Kaituma, Region One. The boys had been travelling home aboard the MV Barima with their father, Orin Europe, when tragedy struck.

Dwayne Forbes, 20, a crew member of the MV Barima and a resident of Kumaka Waterfront, Region One, was laid to rest following a funeral service at the RDC Lawns in Mabaruma. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd attended the service to offer condolences to the grieving family.

Dellon Gaskin, 34, who lost his life when the MV Barima sank while travelling to Arakaka, Region One, was laid to rest at Best Village, West Coast Demerara. Remembered as a devoted husband and father, he leaves behind his wife and three young children—a six-week-old baby girl, a nine-year-old daughter, and a four-year-old son.

Omar Harris, 55, a vendor and father of four, was laid to rest at Best Village, West Coast Demerara. Described by loved ones as a caring and devoted father, his son remembered him as “the best father anyone could ever ask for.” Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar attended the funeral service.

Tiona Sam, her daughter, Kishanna Sam, and Elizabeth Bowrin were remembered during a funeral service attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley joined mourners in paying their final respects.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy visited the grieving family of Samare Manoharall, 5, and Timar Manoharall, 6, extending condolences and support as relatives mourned the heartbreaking loss of the two young siblings in the MV Barima tragedy.

Family, friends and residents gathered at the Port Kaituma Hospital to pay their final respects to Marcia Beharry and Christiano Rodrigues before the two victims of the MV Barima tragedy were laid to rest.

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