Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said he is outraged by what he described as serious failures surrounding the MV Barima tragedy, particularly the discovery that several rescued passengers were not listed on the vessel’s official manifest.
Edghill said every update provided to the public had been based on information supplied by the Transport and Harbours Department (THD), but it is now clear that officials failed to properly carry out their responsibilities.
The minister described the omission of passengers from the manifest as a criminal act, saying it severely compromised the search and rescue operation.
“Despite an official manifest being given to us, persons who were rescued were not manifested. That is a criminal action.”
He explained that rescuers had initially been searching for the 133 people listed on the manifest, 116 passengers and 17 crew, but authorities now cannot determine the actual number of people who were on board.
Edghill also revealed that the captain tested positive for cannabis during routine post-incident testing, calling the development “serious” and stressing that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use by vessel crews.
At the time of the briefing, the minister said two deaths had been officially confirmed and that the search and rescue operation was continuing with support from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, private sector vessels, divers, local fisherfolk and offers of assistance from regional and international partners.
Despite the unfolding investigation, Edghill said the government’s priority throughout the day had been saving lives, while also thanking counsellors, religious leaders, and thousands of Guyanese for providing emotional and spiritual support to affected families.
Minister Edghill ‘outraged’ over MV Barima revelations
