Authorities still searching for 30 missing persons after MV Barima tragedy - PM tells National Assembly

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips told the National Assembly that there are still 30 persons missing following the MV Barima tragedy. The Prime Minister provided an update on search, rescue and recovery efforts following the tragedy during a sitting of the National Assembly on Monday. However, the Prime Minister’s update was largely drowned out by protests from members of the opposition. The protest inside Parliament followed demonstrations outside the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where protesters called for the resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and former Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar over the sinking of the passenger and cargo vessel that served the Georgetown/North West route. Still, the Prime Minister persisted with the update. Prime Minister Phillips said there have been 76 survivors rescued after the MV Barima sank while en route to Port Kaituma on Saturday, July 18. Tragically, however, the bodies of 73 persons who passed away have been recovered . “Thirty persons are still deemed missing,” the Prime Minister informed the National Assembly. Dozens of the persons who were found, and who passed away, were never part of the official passenger list, PM added. However, he said authorities have been able to confirm that there were 179 passengers and crew on the vessel. Search and recovery operations remain ongoing but the team from the Armed Forces in French Guiana assisting with recovery operations have highlighted the difficult conditions that have impacted their operations. Prime Minister Phillips said search and recovery will continue until all efforts are exhausted.