Guyana Ferry Capsize Kills 27, Investigation Launched Over 179-Person Manifest Gap
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Guyana Ferry Capsize Kills 27, Investigation Launched Over 179-Person Manifest Gap
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Summary
Authorities said 27 bodies, including four children, were recovered after a state-run ferry capsized late Saturday off Guyana; at least 69 people were rescued and dozens remain missing.
The ferry was believed to be carrying 179 people on its Georgetown-to-Port Kaituma route, while the official manifest listed only 133, raising suspicions it was overloaded.
Survivors told local media some passengers were asleep when the vessel overturned and had only minutes to grab life jackets or cling to floating objects.
President Irfaan Ali called the disaster a national tragedy, promised a transparent investigation into possible failures, and said the search for survivors remained the top priority.
French Guiana sent a 15-member diving team to assist one of Guyana's largest maritime search operations, as public anger grew over possible ticketing and manifest irregularities.