The number of confirmed deaths from a passenger ferry that capsized off Guyana’s coast on Saturday night has climbed to 53, as rescue efforts continued with dwindling hopes of finding more survivors.

Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips said that as of 22:00 GMT Tuesday, 76 people had been rescued alive, while dozens more remained missing. A total of 179 people were believed to have been aboard the MV Barima — far exceeding the vessel’s official manifest of 116 passengers and 17 crew members.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the capsizing of the 87-year-old ferry, which was built in 1939 and measured about 40 meters (131 feet) in length. The captain and another crew member have been taken into custody after testing positive for cannabis, officials confirmed.

Prime Minister Phillips vowed that anyone found responsible through negligence, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing would face the full force of the law. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill expressed strong condemnation at a news conference on Sunday, stating that the government has “zero tolerance” for crew members consuming drugs or alcohol on duty. “For us to have positive tests from the captain... this is serious,” he said.

The MV Barima departed Georgetown on Saturday afternoon bound for Port Kaituma in northern Guyana. A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 GMT Sunday), prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving government teams, privately owned boats, and international assistance.

Survivor Elena Moonsammy told local news outlet Kiskadee Watch that the ferry tilted after being struck by a large wave, with water rushing in rapidly. “It started to take on water within seconds,” she said. Moonsammy survived by clinging to a floating box amid the debris. She recounted desperately trying to hold onto her two-year-old child, who was separated from her in the chaos. She also helped save another woman by urging her to hold onto the same floating debris.

At least 15 children were among those rescued, with small private boats playing a crucial role in pulling survivors from the water. The French army deployed 12 divers, two doctors, and a mechanic from neighboring French Guiana to support the operation.

As investigations proceed, questions are mounting over the vessel’s age, overloading, and crew conduct in one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime disasters in recent memory. (ILKHA)