Death toll rises as international crews try to salvage capsized ferry in Guyana

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Death toll rises as international crews try to salvage capsized ferry in Guyana

2026-07-24 10:30 Last Updated At：10:40

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — The confirmed death toll from the recent capsizing of a state ferry off Guyana's coast rose to 72 on Thursday, with more bodies recovered as a multinational team struggled to salvage the partially submerged vessel.

Of the estimated 179 people aboard, 76 people were rescued. The government has estimated that 100 may have died in the accident, which would make it the worst marine tragedy on record for the South American nation.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said late Thursday that crews have widened the search area and are determined to find all those who were aboard so loved ones can bury them with dignity.

“The government of Guyana continues to stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time and will ensure that every available resource is deployed until the operation is brought to a safe and dignified conclusion,” he said.

The 87-year-old MV Barima departed the capital, Georgetown, on Saturday and was headed to Port Kaituma when it began taking on water and capsized in Atlantic waters off the Essequibo coast.

Phillips said that the ferry was not insured, and that the government is paying for the funeral and other related expenses.

Divers from countries including Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago are trying to salvage the vessel, with officials saying they hope to inspect it for any possible damage that could shed light on what happened.

Police have launched a criminal investigation and detained three people so far, including the rescued captain and a crew member authorities say tested positive for marijuana.

Also detained is the marine superintendent responsible for overseeing the loading of the ferry. The government maintains it was under capacity in both people and cargo, but survivors have told reporters that they believe the vessel was overloaded.

The ship’s manifest listed 116 passengers and 17 crew, but authorities believe as many as 179 people were aboard.

A growing number of Guyanese are questioning why it took so long to rescue people, with some survivors telling The Associated Press that they spent hours in the water.

Phillips has asked for patience and said officials are awaiting the conclusion of an investigation. Its findings will be reviewed by a commission of inquiry, which has not yet been established.

Asked why an 87-year-old ferry was still in service, the government has said it had acquired a new vessel from India in recent months to replace the MV Barima, but waiting on the completion of a new pier at Port Kaituma needed to accommodate it.

The MV Barima was last dry docked in 2024 for major repairs and was scheduled for additional work in October.

Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as 'Cockroach' protesters vow to press on

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that's become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, but demonstrators vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.

Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams. Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.

The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.

In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after appeals from dozens of members of parliament and following “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He did not elaborate on the talks.

Protest organizers said demonstrations would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. They have called for demonstrations across the country on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament on Monday that drew thousands of people.

“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,” said Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group that has spearheaded the movement, named in reference to a remark by the country's supreme court chief justice that compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches.

The nationwide protests come a day after Modi publicly addressed the protests for the first time, announcing fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination paper leaks. In a separate video message, Modi also said his government would introduce a legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.

The announcements did little to calm the movement, as protesters said they failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

Fabeha Sayyed, 23, said Modi’s video message showed he was finally paying attention to the issue, but she questioned why he had not asked the education minister to resign.

“If he were so concerned about the protests, about the students and the families of students who committed suicide, then it is not hard for him to get a person to resign,” she said.