Thirty people remain missing following the MV Barima tragedy as the Government continues an extensive search and recovery operation, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips told the National Assembly on Monday.

The Prime Minister said the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has remained fully operational since the vessel sank, with authorities committed to exhausting every reasonable effort to recover those still unaccounted for.

Phillips reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to standing with survivors and bereaved families, noting that comprehensive assistance is being provided through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. This includes funeral expenses, transportation, accommodation and other support tailored to the needs of affected families.

He also commended the coordinated national response, thanking the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Health, regional authorities, local fisherfolk, private operators, medical teams and volunteers. He further expressed appreciation for the support provided by France, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil.

The Prime Minister said the Government moved swiftly to establish an independent international Commission of Inquiry to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the tragedy.

Phillips also disclosed significant discrepancies uncovered during the investigation, revealing that CCTV footage showed 179 passengers and crew boarded the vessel, while the official manifest listed only 133.

He said only 35 of the 76 survivors and 37 of the 73 recovered victims appeared on the official manifest, underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation.

According to the Prime Minister, those findings reinforce the importance of the independent Commission of Inquiry, which has been tasked with determining the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy and ensuring accountability where failures are identified.