President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday night assured relatives of victims of the MV Barima tragedy that efforts to enter the sunken vessel would continue after strong currents hampered recovery operations during the day.
Addressing family members gathered at the operation base in Region Two, Ali said divers had been attempting to gain access to the ferry but had encountered difficult conditions.
“Today, as you are aware, we were trying to, and we are still trying as I am speaking to you, to get inside of the vessel. Unfortunately, the strength of the current did not allow us to make the type of progress we were anticipating,” he said.
He said teams would continue working throughout the night using different methods in the hope of making further progress by mid-morning on Thursday.
“We will work all night tonight… and we hope that by mid-morning tomorrow we will be able to make more progress when it comes to the vessel, getting inside of the vessel and trying to recover as much as possible from the vessel,” he said.
“I want to assure you that we are not going to stop.” There was no further update yesterday on progress.
Ali urged relatives to remain in contact with the operations centre, saying staff would continue to provide assistance throughout the process.
“When our loved ones… go back to the region, systems are already in place there to support you in the arrangements for your final resting place,” he said.
Ali also thanked members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, health workers, regional officials, fishermen and volunteers involved in the recovery effort.
He singled out a fisherman from Region Two identified only as Harish, saying he had responded immediately after being contacted on the night of the tragedy and had remained on the water since.
“I remember calling him… at midnight the night of the incident. He left immediately and he has not left the water since then,” Ali said.
The President also thanked Community Development Council leaders from Region One who had accompanied grieving families throughout the recovery process despite suffering losses themselves.
The President concluded by appealing to Guyanese to refrain from posting photographs of victims or circulating unverified information on social media, saying relatives had repeatedly raised concerns about the emotional impact.
“Please do not post family members’ images or anything that is unverified in relation to these families’ loved ones. It is hurting them emotionally. It is affecting them emotionally,” he said.
“I am begging Guyanese… Please have some amount of dignity and respect.”
The President said family members had consistently asked that images of victims not be shared online and urged the public to verify information before making announcements relating to the tragedy.
The briefing concluded with a prayer led by a pastor, who prayed for the continued recovery effort, comfort for grieving families and strength for those involved in the operation.
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