A total of 22 victims of the MV Barima tragedy were laid to rest yesterday as families bid farewell to loved ones lost in the country’s deadliest maritime disaster.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed that 22 funerals were held throughout the day, with grief-stricken relatives, friends and communities gathering to pay their final respects.
Among those laid to rest were Rachel Welch and her three children—Nathaniel Matabheek, Natalia Matabheek and Ezekiel Matabheek whose deaths have left the Lachmansingh Primary School community in mourning.
In a heartfelt tribute, the school described Rachel as “a kind and caring presence” within the institution while remembering Nathaniel and Natalia for brightening classrooms with their smiles. Little Ezekiel, the school noted, had been eagerly awaiting the start of his journey there in September.
“Their absence will be deeply felt throughout our school. The memories they created, the joy they shared and the lives they touched will forever remain a part of the Lachmansingh Primary School story,” the school said.
The funeral service was marked by a flood of emotion, with mourners visibly overcome by grief. Following the proceedings, Rachel’s husband reportedly became ill and was taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, another funeral was held for Cleriannys Valenzuela and her two-year-old daughter Argelys Williams, who also perished in the tragedy.
Their burial, attended by Minister of Education Sonia Parag, became the focus of criticism from relatives who expressed dissatisfaction with the burial arrangements.
In a video shared on the Opposition Leader’s Facebook page, Cleriannys’ sister questioned the condition of the burial site.
“The people tell me it get blocks, it get everything. Watch where them bring my sister in bush. I don’t know, this is the first time I see this thing in my whole life,” she said.
She stressed that her sister and niece deserved dignity in death.
“The people who go bury is people just like me, no animal,” she said, adding that the family would continue pursuing the matter.
Elsewhere, Paula Fraser, the mother of 17-year-old Claiveliz Fraser Bastardo, took to Facebook alleging that government officials falsely claimed her family had received $600,000 in compensation.
In her emotional post, Fraser denied receiving any such payment and questioned whether her daughter’s life was being valued in monetary terms. She also expressed outrage over what she described as a communal burial process, stating that after laying her daughter to rest she intended to speak publicly about her family’s experience and what she believed was a lack of respect shown to victims and their relatives.
The MV Barima tragedy has plunged communities across Guyana into mourning, with families continuing to demand answers and accountability as they grapple with the devastating loss of their loved ones.
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