-had been travelling with grandmother
Three of the youngest victims of the MV Barima tragedy were laid to rest yesterday as relatives continued to hold out hope for the recovery of a missing two-year-old child.
The funerals were held for Viviana Sadruddin, 12, Robina Hernandez, 8, and Akeelah Rodrigues, 9—three cousins whose mothers are sisters. Their two-year-old cousin, Vince Wong, who is Akeelah’s brother, remains missing.
The children were among several family members travelling aboard the MV Barima to Mabaruma for the August school holidays under the care of their grandmother, Helena Moonsammy.
Surviving the tragedy were Akeishaw Webber, 11, Kesha Webber, 13, Deliana Webber, 13, Renaldo Rodrigues, 12, and Moonsammy, who were all rescued after the vessel capsized.
Speaking in the aftermath of the disaster, Moonsammy recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the sinking. She said the vessel suddenly tilted after being struck by a wave, causing water to rush onboard within seconds.
According to Moonsammy, the ferry was heavily loaded with boxes, which shifted and trapped passengers beneath them as the vessel overturned.
She recalled desperately trying to save two-year-old Vince, whom she had been holding, but said the cargo pinned them down, preventing her from reaching safety with the child.
Moonsammy said she eventually managed to free herself and cling to a floating box. While struggling to survive, she saw another woman in the water and urged her to hold onto the box as well.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Moonsammy feared she had lost seven members of her family, however four were found alive.
The MV Barima capsized on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The disaster claimed dozens of lives and left many others missing, making it Guyana’s deadliest maritime tragedies in recent history.
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