The number of bodies recovered following the MV Barima tragedy has increased to 72, the Guyana government confirmed on Thursday.
Two bodies were recovered on July 23, adding to the 70 recovered by the end of Wednesday. Of the total, 65 have been positively identified by their families.
The Office of the Prime Minister clarified that 65 bodies had been confirmed at the 5 p.m. press briefing on Wednesday. Five more were subsequently recovered, raising the day-end total to 70.
OilNOW reported the figure of 65 following Wednesday’s briefing.
Based on the government’s estimate that 179 people were aboard the ferry and the previously confirmed 76 survivors, the latest figures leave 31 people unaccounted for.
Search-and-recovery operations remain ongoing across an area of approximately 2,100 square kilometres, extending to Waini Point. Nineteen vessels and three aircraft remain engaged in the operation.
Technical teams are also continuing efforts to reposition the capsized vessel. The government previously said the recovery plan involves installing maritime salvage airbags around the wreckage to restore buoyancy before towing it closer to shore.
Authorities have warned that unauthorised drones are prohibited within the search area because they pose a hazard to aircraft conducting aerial operations.
