MV Barima tragedy: 5 victims still unidentified; families urged to visit Suddie Mortuary

Five bodies recovered following the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima remain unidentified at the Suddie Mortuary. On Monday, the Health Ministry urged relatives of persons still missing following the sinking of the MV Barima to visit the Suddie Mortuary to assist in identifying five victims whose bodies remain unidentified.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry said the unidentified victims comprise one female and four males who were recovered following the maritime tragedy.
The Ministry appealed to families and relatives of those who remain missing to assist with the identification process, noting that confirming the identities of the victims is necessary to ensure they are returned to their loved ones and laid to rest with dignity.
The Ministry said public cooperation is critical during this process and encouraged anyone requiring further information or assistance to contact the Suddie Mortuary on 650-8564 or the Office of the Regional Health Officer on 685-7746 or 685-7745.
The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00 on Saturday on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night.
Following the incident, 76 persons were rescued, 73 bodies have been recovered and 30 people remain unaccounted for as search and recovery operations continue.
Survivors have recounted that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01h was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that continues. Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing.
Authorities released the results, showing positive tests for cannabis and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members. Another official from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), which manages ferry services, was also detained as part of the police investigation. Subsequently, the Government, in its initial probe into the issue, uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest. That information, along with the manifest, was immediately made public and resulted in several managers at the T&HD being sent off on suspension.
Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced and named a high-level five-member panel to lead a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy. The appointment of this distinguished team of regional and international legal and maritime experts was made under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry (COI) Act and is in keeping with an earlier commitment by the Guyanese Head of State for an independent probe into horrific ferry accident.