- Ferry carrying 116 passengers sank off the coast of Guyana, with a distress call received at 23:01 local time triggering a search operation.
- Eight people have been rescued so far from the capsized ferry, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.
- Dozens of people are still missing as the search and rescue operation continues.
- Sixty-seven people have been rescued, including the boat's captain and fifteen children, after the MV Barima capsized.
- The MV Barima was traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it capsized near Iron Punt.
- The ferry was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts, and six inflatable life crafts.
- The MV Barima was built in 1939 and is 40m (131ft) long.
- The ferry was licensed to hold more than 300 passengers and was within its weight capacity at the time of the incident.
Dozens of people are still missing after the MV Barima ferry capsized late Saturday night off Guyana's Atlantic coast. The vessel, which was licensed to carry over 300 passengers, was on its way from Georgetown to an Indigenous community when it sank.56911
A distress call was received at 11:01 p.m., triggering a search operation involving government teams and private boats. Sixty-seven people have been rescued, including fifteen children and the boat's captain, according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips.78
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill stated that the rescue operation has significantly increased, with crews doubling their search area. The MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts, and six inflatable life crafts, but the aged vessel, built in 1939, faced challenges during the incident.
Assistance centers have been established for the relatives of those rescued and for families of passengers still unaccounted for. The search continues as authorities remain hopeful for more survivors.
“The captain has since returned to the area to assist the rescue operation,” Edghill added, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to locate the missing individuals.
The ferry was reportedly within its weight capacity at the time of the incident, raising questions about safety protocols and the vessel's condition.
The privately-owned Roraima Airways also joined the search, deploying an aircraft to assist in locating survivors.
“Sixty-seven people have been rescued so far, including 15 children and the boat's captain. The MV Barima, built in 1939, had more than 250 life jackets aboard but capsized shortly after departing Georgetown for Port Kaituma.”
BBC
