Guyana ferry disaster death toll rises to 41 as captain held over drug use

· Environment GUY

Guyana authorities said the death toll from the MV Barima ferry disaster has reached at least 41, after 14 more bodies were recovered on Tuesday. Dozens of passengers remain unaccounted for following Saturday night's capsizing.

The vessel was carrying an estimated 179 people when it overturned en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, though the passenger manifest listed only 133. Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed the higher figure, far exceeding official records. About 77 people have been rescued.

The 1939-built ferry's captain and at least one crew member tested positive for marijuana in post-incident screening and have been taken into custody. An investigation is underway into the cause of the sinking and the discrepancy between the manifest and actual passenger count.

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