Massive wave capsizes ferry in Atlantic; 66 missing off Guyana

A massive wave capsized the Barima ferry in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Guyana, leaving 66 people missing. Authorities have rescued 67 of the 133 passengers on board. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, covering an expanded area of 1,070 square kilometers. Local fishermen are assisting in the effort due to their familiarity with the region.

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a massive wave capsized the Barima.

One of the rescued passengers, 18-year-old Wayne Kitson, described the moment the ferry overturned. "We were all sleeping when the ship capsized," he told local media. Kitson fears he lost his wife and daughter in the incident. Despite his injuries, he managed to swim for nearly six hours before being rescued.

The ferry, built in 1939 and last serviced in 2024, departed from the capital, Georgetown, on Saturday evening. It was headed for Port Kaituma, an inland port. The vessel had a capacity of 300 people and was carrying 116 passengers and a 17-member crew, indicating it was not overloaded. It issued a distress signal at 11:00 PM local time.

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We were all sleeping when the ship capsized.

"We maintain hope that we will find them all," said Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, as the small South American nation, which boasts the world's largest per capita oil reserves, grapples with this tragedy.

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We maintain hope that we will find them all.