–preliminary investigations reveal 179 believed to have been on board
–total persons rescued now 69, 27 bodies recovered, 83 persons still unaccounted, PM says
PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has stressed that the national response to the tragic sinking of the MV Barima remains a search and rescue operation, even as authorities confirmed that 27 bodies have been recovered and 83 people remain unaccounted for.
PM Phillips made this known while addressing a press briefing on Monday evening, when he indicated that the government’s priority has not changed since the distress signal was first received.
“Our focus, from the time we received the distress signal to now, is on rescuing the passengers and the crew from the boat. That remains our focus,” Phillips said.
The latest figures he said following the initial investigation indicate that authorities believe there were 179 persons aboard the vessel, including 18 crew members. Of those, 69 have been rescued, 27 bodies have been recovered and 83 persons remain missing.
PM Phillips said that the revised passenger count followed an overnight review by the investigative team, which examined footage of passengers boarding the vessel before it departed.
He said the search area has also been significantly expanded, with agencies combing more than 1,070 square kilometres of ocean, compared with approximately 400 square kilometres during the initial phase of the operation.
At first light on Monday, he indicated that 13 assets were deployed to strengthen the search effort, which had continued uninterrupted throughout the night.
During the morning, a pilot vessel first spotted debris at sea before the Guyana Defence Force Ship Shahoud identified a substantial debris field approximately 2.5 nautical miles off the coast of Devonshire Castle. Rescue teams later recovered additional bodies while continuing their search of the area.
Through what Phillips described as “aggressive and coordinated efforts” involving the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), local fishermen and private sector partners, the location of the sunken MV Barima was positively confirmed.
The vessel was found resting on the seabed approximately nine miles offshore, close to the location where the original distress signal had been transmitted.
The Prime Minister further gave special mention to fisherman Haresh Singh, whose information proved instrumental in locating the vessel. Singh had also assisted in rescuing passengers on Sunday.
Phillips also acknowledged the significant role played by local fisherfolk and ExxonMobil Guyana, whose support through the use of the survey vessel SeaLand Surveyor helped confirm the vessel’s exact location.
INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Further to this, the Prime Minister told members of the press that international assistance has also been mobilised to support the operation.
The Government of France, through the French Armed Forces, deployed 15 divers who have joined local dive teams at the wreck site, while additional diving specialists from Trinidad and Tobago were en route to Guyana as of Monday evening.
He added that divers are currently positioned at the site and will determine the appropriate time to begin underwater operations based on prevailing conditions.
Despite the grim developments, Phillips insisted that rescue efforts would continue.
“This is a search and rescue operation. It remains a search and rescue operation. Notwithstanding the fact that we have recovered bodies, we still have hope that there are people out there who are alive, and therefore we continue our search and rescue.”
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre will remain operational throughout the night as rescue assets continue searching for survivors.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force have established joint protocols for the processing, transportation and storage of the deceased.
To assist grieving families, he disclosed that as part of the operation they have decided to photograph each recovered body.
The photographs will be displayed at designated centres, allowing relatives to assist with identification before formal procedures are undertaken at Suddie Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that President Dr Irfaan Ali after receiving a briefing from the Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan and Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken shortly before midnight on Sunday, travelled early Monday morning to Region One, where the majority of the passengers originated.
The President visited Port Kaituma and Mabaruma before travelling to Region Two, where he inspected facilities at Suddie Hospital and the Anna Regina Technical Institute before continuing to Charity to observe ongoing operations.
During his visits, President Ali approved requests from family members wishing to assist with identifying victims.
Thirteen relatives from Port Kaituma have already been transported by aircraft to Region Two, where they will be accommodated before participating in the identification process.
A similar arrangement was approved for 22 relatives from Mabaruma, who are also being transported to Hampton Court to assist authorities.
EMERGENCY HOTLINE
The government also reported that its emergency hotline remains operational and had received 67 calls by Monday afternoon.
Phillips emphasised that every effort remains focused on locating survivors while ensuring that those who lost their lives are treated with dignity and respect.
He said the government will work closely with families to transport the deceased back to their communities for burial in accordance with their wishes and religious customs.
“This is a serious operation. It calls for a delicate approach in handling these sensitive issues,” he said.
“We remain focused on our efforts to rescue people who can be rescued and, unfortunately, for those who have passed, to recover their bodies respectfully and work with their families to bring closure,” he noted.
