Guyana Ferry Capsizes, Scores Feared Drowned; Investigation Launched Amid Negligence Claims

Scores of people are feared to have drowned after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana on Saturday night local time.

Sixty-seven people were rescued on Sunday, officials said, but since then rescue workers have been unable to locate any more survivors.

According to the ferry's passenger list, it was carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew, but Guyana's prime minister has warned that the list is not accurate.

Divers continue to search the site where the vessel capsized and people who believe their loved ones may have been on board the stricken vessel have been asked to contact the authorities.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said an investigation had been launched into the ferry's loss.

"Let me be absolutely clear: where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law," he said.

Guyana's Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, expressed his anger at a news conference on Sunday, accusing those who operated the ferry of trying to "cheat the system".

He said that out of the 67 people rescued, only 35 had been listed on the passenger manifesto, leading to fears that there may have been dozens more people on board than the 133 on the official registry.

Edghill also said that the ferry's captain and at least one crew member had tested positive for cannabis.

"We have zero tolerance for members of the crew drinking or smoking while at work. And for us to have positive tests from the captain... this is serious," the minister said.

He added that the captain and several of his crew had been taken into police custody.