Police in Guyana have formally charged three people with murder in the July 18 capsizing of a passenger ferry that killed 73 people and left 30 others missing.
Although there were no passengers on board, it was believed to be carrying 179 people when it sank on its voyage between Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and the northwestern village of Port Kaituma, near neighboring Venezuela.
Authorities say 76 passengers and crew were rescued when the ship sank, the worst maritime disaster ever to hit the South American country.
On Tuesday, the ship’s captain and two crew members were formally charged at the Georgetown Courthouse and jailed.
The people were not required to file a plea, had no legal representation, and will appear before the court once again on August 3.
After the crash, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said that three people had tested positive for marijuana use.
Opposition demands resignation, commission formed to investigate the accident
On Sunday, the Guyana government formed a five-member commission of international legal and maritime experts to investigate the incident.
Opposition MPs have loudly demanded the resignation of several government officials from ministries responsible for ports and ferry services.
Although the old MV Barima was considered seaworthy and had clean maintenance records, survivors reported that it was loaded with passengers and cargo when it sank and was leaking.
Although the commission is tasked with investigating those allegations, the ship remains on the Atlantic seabed, about 50 feet (15 meters) below the surface. Prime Minister Mark Phillips has said the ship is unlikely to be saved.
Government officials say the MV Barima is still in use because construction of a new Port Kaituma wharf has not yet been completed to accommodate the replacement ship recently purchased from India.
Edited by: Jennifer Cimino Gonzalez
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