Police in Guyana have filed murder charges against the captain and two crew members of a state ferry that capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, a disaster that has claimed the lives of more than 70 people, with 30 passengers still unaccounted for. The captain, Kevin Price, 40, along with chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, and cargo superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, appeared in court on Tuesday and were not required to enter pleas. No attorneys were present for the accused.
Authorities believe 179 people were aboard the ferry when it departed the capital, Georgetown, on July 18. The vessel capsized before reaching its destination, the northern town of Port Kaituma, located near Venezuela. This incident marks the South American nation's worst maritime disaster on record.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips informed Parliament late Monday that while 77 individuals were rescued, one of those passengers died recently. During his address, opposition lawmakers called for the resignation of Works Minister Juan Edghill and Junior Minister Indar Persaud, holding them responsible for the tragedy.
On Sunday, the Guyanese government announced the formation of a five-person commission comprising international legal and marine experts. This commission is tasked with investigating the sinking of the MV Barima, an 87-year-old ferry. The government stated that the MV Barima remained in service because construction is underway on a new pier at Port Kaituma, intended to accommodate a new $12.7 million vessel acquired from India to replace the older ferry.
Some survivors reported that the ferry was taking on water and was overloaded with both passengers and cargo. The government has requested the commission to examine these allegations.
Prime Minister Phillips indicated that the vessel, now resting 50 feet underwater, will likely remain on the seabed and will not be salvaged. A second court hearing is scheduled for August 3 in the western Essequibo region, near the site of the sunken wreckage.