41 bodies from MV Barima tragedy recovered

What this source establishes

The 2 PM Tuesday government update as reported by Demerara Waves, recording the largest single revision in the story: the estimate of people aboard rises from 133 to 179, including 18 crew rather than 17. It records 14 of the 41 bodies retrieved in under three hours that morning. It establishes the search-area expansion by 400 square miles up to Waini Point, and that French and local divers were already working the wreck underwater. It also records the instruction that any bodies retrieved by any party must go immediately to Guyana Police Force custody at the Charity River Dam facility.

Figures cited in this source

41 bodies recovered, 77 rescued, 179 aboard including 18 crew

Key claims

• Government said in its 2 PM Tuesday update that 41 bodies had been recovered and 77 persons rescued.
• Government estimates that 179 persons, including 18 crew members, were aboard the 87-year-old boat - a sharp upward revision from the earlier 116 passengers plus 17 crew.
• The vessel went down almost 10 miles from the Essequibo Coast at about 11 PM Saturday.
• 16 vessels were deployed within the wreckage area.
• The designated search area was expanded by an additional 400 square miles, extending up to Waini Point.
• The first body recovery of the day was made at 10:15 hrs and 14 bodies had been retrieved as of 1 pm.
• French and local divers are continuing underwater search and recovery operations at the wreckage site.
• Identification of recovered bodies is being undertaken by family members at Suddie Hospital.
• Bodies retrieved must be immediately transferred to the custody of the Guyana Police Force at the established facility at the Charity River Dam.

This page is a research summary prepared for comment and review. It is not the article. Copyright in the original remains with Demerara Waves; the full text is held only in the private research corpus from which this archive was compiled. Follow the link above to read it at the source.