At least 53 people died in Guyana’s capsized ferry catastrophe.

GEORGETOWN (Guyana) (AFP) – At least 53 people were killed after a ferry collapsed off the coast of Guyana over the weekend, Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed Tuesday.

On Saturday night, the MV Barima went over while going from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Guyana’s rural Essequibo area.

A frantic hunt for survivors began early Sunday, with 76 individuals recovered thus far, according to Phillips, after the government originally stated that 77 had been found alive.

On Tuesday, the prime minister raised the dead toll again, increasing it from 41 to 53.A total of 53 bodies have been found,” Phillips stated during a press conference.

“We’ve recorded 76 persons that were rescued as of 6 pm (2200GMT) today,” he added.

The number of persons involved in the catastrophe had previously been unclear owing to a faulty passenger manifest that identified 133 passengers aboard, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

However, on Monday, Phillips stated that he was convinced that 179 passengers were on board when the tragedy happened.

Two crew members aboard the elderly ferry tested positive for marijuana following the incident, he told reporters on Sunday, adding that an inquiry was ongoing.

The ship left in the middle of the afternoon, and a distress call arrived around eight hours later.