Мать 77-летнего моряка Реймонда Сомры признала его смерть после крушения судна MV Barima

Latest update August 26th, 2026 11:47 AM Aug 24, 2026 News (Kaieteur News) – After weeks of holding on to the faintest hope that her missing son would walk through the gate, 77-year-old Rebecca Somra has accepted that he is likely dead. For weeks, Somra held on to the belief that her 56-year-old son, Raymond, would return home, even as other relatives reluctantly came to terms with the possibility that he had perished. On two previous occasions, Somra told Kaieteur News that she was not prepared to believe her son was dead. She was the last in the family to accept the painful reality. However, a month after the MV Barima tragedy, she conceded that Raymond is gone. “I come to one conclusion — I know he dead. I know he dead, and I’m content. He life come to go, and so it had to go. I accept that he gone. Can’t come back. I have to be content now with everything,” she said during an interview at her Islington Village, East Bank Berbice home. Raymond, a father of two, worked as a sailor with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) for four decades. He left home on July 13 to board the vessel, which he knew well. He would usually call his mother to let her know he had arrived safely. Five days later, news that the MV Barima had capsized in the Atlantic Ocean sent shockwaves across the country and plunged the families of those on board into fear and uncertainty. In the days that followed, survivors were rescued and bodies recovered and handed over to relatives for burial. However, about 30 people remain unaccounted for, including Raymond. The eldest among five siblings, Raymond was his mother’s primary provider. Somra fondly recalled how much he did for her and the close relationship they shared. “He used to do plenty things fuh meh, so I have to always remember he. Me and he had a good relationship. Anything, he deh in the kitchen fuh meh. He does help me do plenty things. He used to mind me,” she said through tears. While Somra has accepted her son’s presumed death, the family is still hoping to recover his remains so they can give him the religious rites they believe he deserves. “That is the hurtful piece, because she (one of his daughters) want her father to be burnt, so that she can be able to do something for her father, but we can’t find nothing for he,” a relative said. Raymond’s sister said even if only bones are recovered, the family would be grateful. She acknowledged that identifying the remains could be a lengthy process, particularly if DNA testing is required. “You have to do a DNA, and that takes time. And if they (other bodies) deh mix up, you have to know who is who. And that takes time, unless they are in separate cabins, separate rooms,” she said. Search and rescue operations have officially ended, while efforts are now focused on salvaging the vessel from beneath the waters. Families of those still missing are anxiously awaiting the recovery of the vessel, hoping it will finally bring their loved ones home, or at least provide the remains needed for closure. More than 70 people have been confirmed dead following the catastrophic incident. Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Aug 26, 2026 Kaieteur Sports – Guyana has officially begun the process of preparing to host the 2027 CARIFTA Games, marking a historic milestone for the country as it prepares to stage the premier youth and... Aug 23, 2026 By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – I have been an advocate of the Caribbean Court of Justice from its conception. In 2015, on the Court’s tenth anniversary, I described its creation as arguably the most significant institutional achievement of the English-speaking Caribbean since the... Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email. Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms. Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491. Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]