The Guyana ferry sinking left 116 passengers on the MV Barima in the water off the coast, with eight people rescued so far.
A Guyana ferry sinking off the country’s coast has left 116 passengers aboard the MV Barima in danger, with eight people rescued so far, local authorities said. The vessel capsized near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
Officials said a distress call came in at 23:01 local time, or 03:01 plus one BST, and an urgent search was launched. The response involves both state and private boats, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill in a statement posted on social media. At this stage, the condition of the wider rescue effort is unclear, and authorities have not said whether they expect to reach the remaining passengers.
The MV Barima was built in 1939 and is listed as 40 meters, or 131 feet, long on VesselFinder. Edghill said the ferry carried 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts, and six inflatable life crafts. Those details will likely draw close attention as rescuers continue to work the scene.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips is said to be leading the government response. The Guyana ferry sinking has now become a major rescue effort for the small South American nation, with families waiting for news and officials still trying to account for everyone on board. The key issue now is simple: whether search crews can find the rest of the passengers in time.
