A ferry carrying passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Guyana late Saturday. The vessel, identified as the MV Barima, was sailing from the capital, Georgetown, along the North Atlantic coast to Port Kaituma when it sank near the Pomeroon River. A distress call was received just after 11:00 p.m. local time, prompting a search and rescue operation involving state and private boats.
Authorities have rescued 67 people, including 15 children, in what has been described as one of the country's worst maritime disasters. While some reports stated there were 116 passengers and crew on board, others cited 133, though officials have noted that the passenger list is inaccurate. No survivors have been found since Sunday afternoon.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips is leading the government's response to the tragedy. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill stated that the vessel was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and six inflatable life rafts. Rescue operations for the remaining missing passengers continue, with reports indicating the ferry may have been overloaded.