An investigation is underway in the Barima River after a vessel owned by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) crashed and mysteriously burst into flames Sunday night.
In a statement issued today, GECOM confirmed that the vessel was operated without authorization and was not engaged in any official duties at the time of the accident. The commission’s internal probe suggests the vessel was effectively hijacked for personal use by its own Captain. According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, the incident occurred at approximately 19:15 hours near Morawhanna. The vessel, carrying nine passengers, none of whom are GECOM employees, hit a sandbank during heavy rainfall.
The Coast Guard successfully evacuated the injured to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. Two hours later, at 21:13 hours, authorities returned to find the vessel engulfed in a massive fire. By Monday morning, only a charred, partially submerged hull remained.
The GECOM-employed Captain is currently in police custody. GECOM officials stated the Captain is cooperating fully with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to determine how a state asset was deployed for a private excursion.
“The Commission extends its best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured,” the GECOM statement read, while also praising the Coast Guard for “preventing more serious injury or loss of life.”
