President Irfaan Ali has declared three days of national mourning from tomorrow through Friday in honour of the victims of the MV Barima disaster.
According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the period of mourning will run from Wednesday, July 22, to Friday, July 24.
During the three-day period, the Golden Arrowhead will be flown at half-mast on government buildings and other appropriate locations across the country.
Tomorrow will also be observed as a National Day of Prayer. A National Day of Prayer and Remembrance is scheduled to be held at the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown.
In addition, a Night of Reflection and Prayer will be held in Port Kaituma on Thursday, July 23, while a similar observance is planned for Mabaruma on Friday, July 24.
The ministry said religious organisations, civic groups and members of the public are being encouraged to organise candlelight vigils and moments of prayer during the period of national mourning.
It added that the full proclamation will be published in the Official Gazette.
The declaration comes as search and recovery efforts continue following Saturday evening’s sinking of the MV Barima, which was travelling from Port Kaituma to Parika. Forty-one bodies have so far been recovered, while 77 persons have been rescued and search teams continue efforts to locate those still missing. Investigations into the disaster are ongoing.
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