The search for survivors continued in Guyana after a ferry believed to be overloaded, capsized over the weekend with the government noting that at least 35 of the 67 people rescued were not on the manifest list.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said officials initially believed they were searching for 116 passengers and 17 crew members based on the official manifest, but investigations revealed that only 35 of the 67 rescued were listed on the passenger manifest, meaning 32 survivors were never officially recorded as passengers before the vessel left to Georgetown.
The vessel’s cargo manifest showed it was carrying 268 tonnes of cargo, below its licence capacity of 284 tonnes. But now that is also under question.
The passenger and cargo ferry capsized about seven miles offshore, near the mouth of the Pomeroon River on a Saturday night while travelling from Georgetown to the northwest district.
The number of rescued remains at 67, while two people have been confirmed dead.
Search and rescue operations continued overnight with the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, private vessels and local fisherfolk continuing to scour the area.