The death toll from last Saturday’s boating incident has risen to 41 and eight others were rescued as the search continues along the Essequibo Coast, the Guyana government said in a statement on Tuesday.
It said that 14 bodies were recovered and that 77 persons have been rescued as of 2.00 pm (local time) as the search and rescue operation continues with 16 vessels deployed within the wreckage area.
President Irfaan Ali Tuesday said proclaimed three days of National Mourning beginning on July 22.
In the proclamation, President Ali said that ‘the tragic loss of lives, arising from the disaster involving the M.V. Barima, has brought profound and widespread sorrow and immeasurable grief throughout our nation.
‘At this time of deep national sadness, as we pause to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives, to stand with their families, to offer comfort to survivors, and to demonstrate our collective compassion and solidarity,’ he is proclaiming that the next three days starting from Wednesday ‘be observed as Three Days of National Mourning throughout Guyana in honour of the victims of the M.V. Barima tragedy’
He said during this period of national mourning all national flags of Guyana shall be flown at half-mast on Government buildings, public institutions and other appropriate locations throughout the country as a mark of respect and remembrance for those whose lives were lost.