GEORGETOWN, July 20 (Reuters) - Guyana's government said on Monday that 27 bodies had been recovered from a ferry that capsized off the coast over the weekend with 179 people on board.
The MV Barima was traveling from the capital Georgetown to the northwest village of Port Kaituma when it capsized. The government's National Communications Network said on Monday afternoon that 69 people had been rescued, while another 83 remain missing.
The vessel overturned late on Saturday. Authorities had suggested an inaccurate passenger manifest and suspected drug use by the crew may have contributed to the disaster.
By Monday afternoon, the vessel had been found on the seabed in search operations carried out by private company VEHSI in collaboration with Exxon Mobil and local fishermen, Guyana's Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, said on social media.
Search teams, assisted by private energy sector vessels and divers, had expanded their search area to 1,040 square km (401 square miles).
The vessel's captain and at least one other crew member are currently in police custody after testing positive for marijuana, officials said.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has launched an investigation into potential institutional failures, promising that anyone found guilty of negligence or misconduct will face legal action.
(Reporting by Kemol King; Editing by Chris Reese)
