Jul 19, 2026
3 min read
Bibi Shamina Matabheek is holding onto hope that her daughter-in-law and three grandchildren will be found alive following the sinking of the MV Barima, which has left several passengers feared drowned.
Her son, Adam Matabheek, and his wife, Carlita, survived after the vessel went down, she said. Another son, Safraz Matabheek, also escaped safely. The family is awaiting news of 30-year-old Rachel Wells and her three children, Nathaniel, 9, Nathalia, 7, and Ezekiel, 3, who remain missing.
The family left home at around 7am to travel to the North West District, where Rachel planned to visit her ailing mother, Matabheek said. It was a trip Rachel had not made in years.
"They left about seven o'clock to go to the sailing. Rachel was going to see her mother because she was very sick and wanted to see her and the grandchildren," Matabheek said.
The family learned of the tragedy on Sunday morning after a neighbour told them the vessel had gone down.
"One of the neighbours came and tell us, and we didn't know anything," she said.
Matabheek said she contacted relatives while trying to get information about those aboard. She later learned Adam and Carlita had survived, but has had no confirmation regarding Rachel and the children.
"I hope them to come back safely. I love them. I love my grandchildren. I don't want anything to happen to them," she said.
Matabheek said she had urged the family against the trip, as she has always feared travelling by boat with young children.
"I was telling them not to go. I don't like them to travel on the boat because I know that is a serious thing. I was telling them to leave the grandchildren, but after the other grandmother said she wanted to see them, that is why they had to go," she said.
The trip was meant to last one week, Matabheek said, adding that Rachel, married nine years, had not visited her mother's community since.
She recalled her grandchildren's parting words.
"They kissed me before they left. He said, 'Bye-bye, Grandma. Bye-bye, Grandpa. I love you,'" she said.
Adam and Carlita are reported safe but have been unable to speak with the family directly, as they are believed to be in Pomeroon, where communication remains limited, Matabheek said.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing.
