The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has said the boat involved in Sunday evening’s crash in the Barima River, Region One, was being used without authorisation and was not on official business at the time of the accident.
In a statement issued Tuesday, GECOM said preliminary internal investigations found that the vessel, which later caught fire and was destroyed, had been operating outside of authorised use. The commission said it is now assisting the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with its investigation into the incident.
According to GECOM, the captain, who is employed by the commission, is in police custody and is cooperating with investigators.
The accident occurred on Sunday at around 7:15 p.m. near Morawhanna, while the vessel was en route to Kumaka with nine passengers on board. Authorities said visibility was poor due to rainfall when the boat slammed into the riverbank.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) had said its Coast Guard responded quickly and evacuated the injured passengers, who were taken to Kumaka and then transferred to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital for treatment.
Later that night, at about 9:13 p.m., the Coast Guard and police returned to the scene after receiving reports that the vessel had caught fire. By the time they arrived, the blaze had intensified and could not be controlled, due in part to the vessel’s position inland from the riverbank.
A follow-up check on Monday morning found the boat badly damaged, with its remains partially submerged because of high tide.
GECOM said none of the injured passengers were employees of the commission or connected to it. It also thanked the Coast Guard for what it described as a swift and effective rescue that prevented more serious injuries or loss of life.
The commission said it will continue cooperating with the police probe and will decide on its next steps after the investigation is completed.
