Ferry captain tests positive for drugs after capsize disaster leaves up to 110 people including children feared drowned

A FERRY captain in charge of a doomed vessel that capsized and may have left up to 110 people dead has tested positive for marijuana. The overcrowded MV Barima carrying 179 people was travelling along the coast of Guyana when it turned over on Saturday night – sparking an urgent rescue operation. A man covers his face during an event between government officials and survivors Credit: Reuters Rescue efforts progress after MV Barima capsized off the coast of Guyana Credit: Reuters At least 27 people have been confirmed dead since the horror ordeal while 83 remain missing. Fears are mounting that the death toll could rise by dozens more to 110 – and it could include children. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The vessel has been located and was found on the seabed off Guyana’s North Atlantic coast. So far, 69 people have been rescued, authorities say. Survivors and relatives of those still missing (R) seen paying respects Credit: AFP The MV Barima capsized off the coast of Guyana Credit: Transport and Habours Department Investigators have launched a probe into what has been called the country’s worst marine disaster in decades. Possible lines of enquiry being looked at include an inaccurate list of all guests on board, as well as alleged drug use by the captain and crew. So far, the captain and one other crew member have tested positive for marijuana. They have been arrested and remain in custody as part of the probe. Most read in The Sun Lifeboats float on the water during search and rescue efforts Credit: Reuters Rescue efforts are ongoing Credit: Getty Guyanese prime minister Mark Phillips said: “Let me be absolutely clear: Where negligence, misconduct or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible will face the full force of the law. “There will be no exceptions and no tolerance for actions that placed innocent lives at risk.” The catastrophe comes after years of passengers accusing ticket clerks at state-run ferry terminals of selling tickets to pals under the table for cash. Sometimes their names are allegedly not added to the list of passengers. The official registry had listed 133 people on board the ferry, but Phillips said he was “confident” there were 179 passengers and crew. The ship – constructed nine decades ago in 1939 – was also set to undergo major renovations in October due to faults on the vessel, reports say. Several passengers claimed on social media they had seen water leaking into the ship’s cargo area before disaster struck. The boat had been sailing from Georgetown, the Guyanese capital, to the small city of Port Kaituma when it capsized. Authorities on Monday expanded the size of the search area from 400 to 1,070 square kilometres – while local fishermen have also joined recovery efforts. The French army also sent 12 divers, two doctors and a mechanic from nearby French Guiana to aid the search-and-rescue operation. Comment now