The death toll from the MV Barima tragedy has risen to 53 after an additional 43 bodies were recovered.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said 76 people survived the disaster, while efforts continue to recover the bodies those still believed to be trapped inside the vessel.

Phillips said 26 of the victims have been positively identified so far.

The official manifest said there were 116 passengers and 17 crew on board the vessel at the time of its sinking. However, the number of people on board is unknown as several of the people rescued were not on the manifest.

French and Guyanese divers continued underwater operations at the wreck site on Tuesday. However, the prime minister said no survivors were found during the latest dive.

He disclosed that one body was located inside the wreck, but divers were unable to recover it. 

The identification process remains underway at Suddie Hospital, where Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and medical personnel are carrying out forensic examinations and assisting grieving families.

According to Phillips, the bodies of 11 identified victims have already been returned to their home communities at the request of their families, with arrangements continuing for additional repatriations as more victims are identified.

To support the recovery operation, four refrigerated containers have been deployed for the dignified storage and identification of the deceased. 

Authorities said 42 bodies remain in storage while regional officials work with families to coordinate funeral and burial arrangements.

Phillips also reminded all agencies and volunteers involved in the search, rescue and recovery effort that any bodies recovered must be handed over immediately to the Guyana Police Force at the designated facility at Charity River Dam, in keeping with established identification protocols.