Twenty-seven bodies have now been recovered following Saturday’s deadly sinking of the MV Barima, as search, rescue and recovery operations continue off the coast of Essequibo.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed the latest recovery figures during a press conference last evening, stating that efforts remain focused on locating those still unaccounted for and completing the identification of the deceased.
While a number of bodies have been positively identified and are being processed for return to their families, authorities have indicated that more identities are yet to be officially determined, leaving several families in agonising uncertainty.
Among those whose whereabouts or identities remain unconfirmed are:
- Crew member Antoine Harcourt, 22, of Lichfield Village, West Coast Berbice;
- Delroy Daniels, 25, of Hotoquai Hill, Aruka River, Region One;
- Kyon Brown, 44, of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara;
- Ronaldo Poon, 11, of Sans Souci, Wakenaam Island;
- Rona Mendonca, 40, a businesswoman from Herstelling;
- crew member Orin Anthony Clarke, 54, of New Amsterdam;
- businessman Renaldo Pickering of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown;
- crew member Quincy Smartt, 44, of Sophia;
- Venezuelan national and Port Kaituma salon owner Greseidys del Carmen Lion Martinez, also known as “Sofia”;
- crew member Rawle Frank, 34, of Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice;
- Sherlon Joseph, 30, a crew member;
- Andriel Bautista, 15;
- Nelly Dusburry, 16;
- Cleriannys Valenzuela, 23;
- Argenys Williams, 29;
- Leonard Persaud, 23, a former member of the Guyana Police Force;
- Jason Headley, 9, of Arakaka, Region One;
- and Devon Mars, 46, of Sandvoort Village, West Canje, Berbice.
Kiskadee Watch understands that the body of two-year-old Argelys Williams Valenzuela, who had been travelling with her parents, Cleriannys Valenzuela and Argenys Williams, has been recovered. Her parents remain unaccounted for.
The body of Marcie Beharry, 47, also known as “Sant,” has also been recovered.
Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed the recovery and identification of crew members Trevon Sam, Neil Cort, Kenrick Cort, and Dwayne Forbes, 20, of Kumaka Waterfront, Region One, who had worked aboard the MV Barima for approximately two years. Passenger Shivanna La Cruz has also been identified among those recovered.
Officials have stressed that the identification process is ongoing and that not all of the 27 recovered bodies have been formally identified. As a result, the status of several persons previously reported missing remains unknown until forensic and official identification procedures are completed.
The APNU Facebook page on Monday shared an update stating that the wife of missing MV Barima passenger Mark Abrams says her family is still awaiting information on his whereabouts following the maritime tragedy.
According to the post, Mark Abrams, 54, of Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, remains among those unaccounted for after the vessel sank. He and his wife, Bebi Abrams, are the parents of 10 children.
The post stated that Mrs. Abrams informed PNCR Region Six Chairman Anil Sigrim that no government official has contacted her regarding her husband’s status or the ongoing search and recovery efforts. It further said she remains unaware of the latest developments and is unable to travel to Georgetown because of financial constraints.
The APNU post expressed sympathy for the Abrams family and the other families still awaiting answers as search and recovery operations continue.
The MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, when it encountered distress and sank late Saturday. The tragedy has claimed numerous lives and prompted one of the country’s largest search and recovery operations.
Search and recovery efforts remain ongoing as authorities continue to account for everyone who was on board the vessel. Families of the missing have been urged to await official confirmation as recovery and identification efforts continue.
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