Nine victims of MV Barima tragedy laid to rest

What this source establishes

Kaieteur News reports that nine MV Barima victims were buried on Thursday 23 July in their respective communities, with cabinet members and regional officials attending. The paper recaps the voyage: the ferry left the Transport and Harbours Department wharf at Kingston, Georgetown at about 3:15 p.m. on Saturday 18 July for Port Kaituma, and the 87-year-old vessel sank roughly seven miles offshore near Iron Punt in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River. It gives government figures of at least 179 people aboard, 72 dead with 65 identified, and 76 rescued, and describes the search effort involving the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Brazilian Navy, 19 vessels and three aircraft.

Key claims

• Nine people who died in the MV Barima incident were laid to rest on Thursday 23 July 2026.
• The vessel departed the Transport and Harbours Department wharf at Kingston, Georgetown at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday July 18, and was expected to arrive at Port Kaituma on Sunday afternoon.
• The 87-year-old vessel went down about seven miles offshore near Iron Punt, in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River.
• Government figures suggest the vessel was carrying at least 179 persons including crew, passengers and children.
• To date the incident has claimed 72 lives, 65 of which were positively identified by families; a total of 76 persons were rescued.
• Members of the cabinet and regional administrative officials attended the funeral services.
• Those laid to rest included 7-year-old Aarave Daniels and his 13-year-old aunt Shamera Smith of White Water Village, Region One.
• A funeral service for Gwenette Nunes and her daughter Ulanda Marques was held on the lawns of the Region One Regional Democratic Council.
• 11-year-old Ronaldo Poon was buried at Wakenaam Island.
• Ravindra Singh and Bibi Mohamed, who were travelling to Port Kaituma for work, had a funeral service in Zeelugt, Region Three.
• Kevin Wilson, 28, a crew member of the MV Barima, was laid to rest at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice.
• Clairmonte King was mourned at the Memorial Gardens.
• 19 vessels and three aircraft were actively engaged at the crash site, supported by specialised diving teams.
• The GDF Coast Guard and MARAD deployed smaller vessels further inland to search shoreline areas and vegetation; Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, local fishermen and private boat owners have been assisting.
• President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday declared three days of national mourning, Wednesday to Friday, with national flags at half-mast.

Actors named

• Aarave Daniels, 7-year-old victim of White Water Village, Region One
• Shamera Smith, 13-year-old victim, aunt of Aarave Daniels, White Water Village, Region One
• Gwenette Nunes, victim, mother of Ulanda Marques
• Ulanda Marques, victim, daughter of Gwenette Nunes
• Ronaldo Poon, 11-year-old victim of Wakenaam Island
• Ravindra Singh, victim travelling to Port Kaituma for work
• Bibi Mohamed, victim travelling to Port Kaituma for work
• Kevin Wilson, 28-year-old crew member of the MV Barima, of Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice
• Clairmonte King, victim described as a father and husband
• Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
• Azruddin Mohamed, Opposition Leader assisting search efforts
• Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, providing maritime assets and personnel
• Brazilian Navy, providing maritime assets and personnel
• Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, conducting shoreline searches
• Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), conducting shoreline searches
• Transport and Harbours Department, operator of the wharf at Kingston, Georgetown

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