The Ministry of Home Affairs is urging anyone with firsthand information, photographs, videos or other evidence relating to the sinking of the MV Barima ferry to share it directly with the Guyana Police Force to assist the ongoing investigation.

In a statement, the Ministry said the cooperation of the public was vital to ensuring the investigation was thorough and that all relevant facts were established.

The Ministry extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by the sinking, saying its thoughts and prayers remained with everyone impacted by the tragedy.

It said it was deeply concerned by the circulation on social media of old, fabricated and unrelated videos and photographs being falsely linked to the incident.

The deliberate spread of misinformation at a time of national grief was insensitive and hurtful to mourning families, and had the potential to impede investigations, create unnecessary fear and mislead the public, the Ministry said.

It warned that anyone who knowingly creates, shares or republishes false or misleading content purporting to depict or relate to the tragedy may be committing offences under the laws of Guyana, including public mischief, and that such acts would be investigated with offenders facing the full force of the law where evidence supports it.

The Ministry urged citizens to act responsibly, verify information before sharing it and allow the investigative process to proceed without interference.

It called for compassion, truth and national solidarity, asking that the dignity of victims and their families be respected and that the spread of false information be avoided.