A ferry with 116 passengers and crew aboard overturned near Guyana’s coast, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation, according to the country’s public works minister, Juan Edghill. Edghill mentioned in a live stream on Facebook that eight individuals from the MV Barima were successfully rescued. Additional assistance was dispatched to provide immediate medical care.
Following a distress call received at 11:01 pm local time, emergency response teams, including private and state resources, were activated. Edghill expressed hopes for the safety of all those affected during the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, confirmed the deployment of the Air Corps and Coast Guard to the scene. The vessel was en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, having set sail on Saturday afternoon.
The MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid lifeboats, and six inflatable life rafts, as highlighted by the Public Works Ministry. The incident is being closely monitored as the rescue operation continues.