1939 Ferry Sinks Off Guyana Months After Repair Funds Pledged for Its Route

An 86-year-old ferry, the MV Barima, sank off Guyana on July 19, 2026, carrying 116 passengers; eight were rescued, leaving 108 unaccounted for. The sinking came months after Guyana's government pledged over $440 million GYD (roughly $2.1 million USD) for repairs on the same Georgetown–Port Kaituma route. A broader $11.2 billion GYD river transport budget was approved in January.