Pres. Ali to name 5-member int'l team to probe MV Barima tragedy

What this source establishes

iNews Guyana reports on President Ali's video statement, carrying his direct commitment: 'I shall, tomorrow - 26th of July, 2026 - announce a five-member team to constitute that Commission.' Ali said the members had been selected for their independence, technical expertise and proven ability, and that the panel would determine its own procedures and be empowered to find negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failure. The report gives casualty figures of 73 dead, 30 unaccounted for and 76 survivors, and carries no opposition reaction.

Figures cited in this source

73 dead; 30 unaccounted for; 76 survivors

Key claims

• The 18 July capsizing has resulted in the death of 73 persons while 30 others are still unaccounted for; 76 persons survived.
• President Ali said in a video statement: 'I shall, tomorrow – 26th of July, 2026 – announce a five-member team to constitute that Commission.'
• Ali said the Commission will comprise experts in law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation, 'carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise, and proven ability'.
• The COI panel will determine its own procedures and method of work.
• The Commission will examine loading, boarding procedures, conditions on board, seaworthiness, maintenance history, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards, conduct and competence of the master and crew, passenger management, lifesaving arrangements, and weather and sea conditions.
• The Commission will review search, rescue and recovery operations, assessing adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the response.
• The COI panel will be empowered to determine whether negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to or caused the tragedy.

Quotations

• “I shall, tomorrow”— 26th of July, 2026 – announce a five-member team to constitute that Commission. — Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
• “The members have been carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise, and proven ability.”— Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana

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