Over 60 Rescued After Ferry Capsizes Off Guyana Coast

July 19, 2026

Ferry carrying 116 capsizes off Guyana coast GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - JULY 19: ----EDITORIAL USE ONLY MANDATORY CREDIT - GUYANA PRIME MINISTER S OFFICE / HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS---- A ferry carrying 116 passengers capsized off the coast of Guyana, with authorities saying 53 people had been rescued so far, in Georgetown, Guyana, on July 19, 2026. The vessel, MV Barima, overturned near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma on Saturday, according to the BBC. Emergency services launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation after receiving a distress call at around 11.00 pm local time 0300GMT Sunday. The operation involves government and privately operated PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2026xAnadoluxGuyanaxPrimexMinister sxOfficex/xHandoutx

Rescue teams are searching for dozens of people after a ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Guyana, authorities said on Sunday.

The MV Barima departed Georgetown on Saturday afternoon for Port Kaituma in the oil-rich Essequibo region before overturning along the route.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said at least 67 people, including 15 children, had been rescued as search-and-rescue operations continued.

Over 60 Rescued After Ferry Capsizes Off Guyana Coast. Credit: Imago

Prime Minister Mark Phillips had earlier confirmed that 53 people were rescued and expressed optimism that more survivors would be found.

Initial investigations indicate the ageing vessel may have capsized after being struck by a large wave.

The ferry was carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew members and was equipped with 250 life jackets, according to officials.

Authorities received a distress call about eight hours after the vessel began its journey from the capital.

Built in 1939, the MV Barima operates between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, travelling along Guyana’s Atlantic coastline before heading inland through rivers to its destination.

Port Kaituma is located in the Essequibo region, an area rich in oil resources that remains at the centre of a long-running territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.

Search and rescue operations were ongoing as authorities worked to locate the remaining passengers and determine the exact cause of the accident.

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