(Kaieteur News) – The death toll following the capsising of the MV Barima is now pegged at 103, following three days of search and rescue by the coast guard, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, owners of private vessels, and local fishermen.

The casualty count rose sharply after rescue teams recovered an additional 22 bodies during operations on the third day of the maritime disaster, while the verified total of rescued survivors, according to the government, stood at 76.

Calls intensified for the removal of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill from office following what is being described as Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster. The demands come on the heels of the government’s decision on Monday morning to send the entire management team responsible for the loading, dispatch, and overall oversight of the MV Barima on administrative leave pending an investigation. Pointing to systemic failures and lapses in leadership, political stakeholders from WIN, APNU, FGM and VPAC argue that accountability should not end with those directly responsible for the vessel, but should also extend to ministers with oversight responsibility for the relevant agencies. Demands have likewise been voiced for the removal of Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, as well as Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Director General Stephen Thomas.