Guyana will observe three days of national mourning following the MV Barima tragedy, with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announcing a series of national observances to honour those who lost their lives.

The period of mourning will run from Wednesday, July 22, to Friday, July 24, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings and other appropriate locations across the country.

Seventy-six people have survived the tragedy with 53 confirmed dead. 

The exact number of missing individuals remains unknown, as there were unrecorded passengers on board not included in the official manifest.

Fifty-three people have so far been confirmed dead as a result of the tragedy with many more people 

The declaration comes as the country continues to mourn one of its deadliest maritime disasters, which claimed multiple lives and left others missing after the MV Barima sank during a voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

As part of the observances, July 22 has been designated a National Day of Prayer. A national service of prayer and remembrance will be held at the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown, bringing together relatives of the victims, survivors, religious leaders and members of the public.

The programme will continue with a Night of Reflection and Prayer in Port Kaituma on Thursday, July 23, followed by a similar observance in Mabaruma on Friday, July 24.

The government is also encouraging churches, mosques, temples, civic organisations and communities across Guyana to organise candlelight vigils and moments of prayer throughout the mourning period. Religious groups were further encouraged to begin holding vigils from Tuesday evening in memory of the victims.

The declaration of national mourning was published in an official gazette issued on Tuesday.