15 children among 67 rescued so far as search efforts continue afrer MV Barima capsizing – INews Guyana

The number of persons rescued from the capsized MV Barima vessel has gone up to 67 including 15 children.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill made this announcement in social media post, adding that the Search and Rescue efforts are advancing.

The ferry vessel, carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew members, capsized off the Essequibo Coast just late last night. The vessel had departed Port Georgetown earlier on Saturday, heading to Port Kaituma, North-West District in Region One.

A distressed call was received from the vessel sometime after 23:00h and emergency response were immediately deployed.

Some 53 persons who were rescued in the dark hours have already been taken to Charity, where a special medical facility was established to treat survivors.

The search and rescue operations continues. This is a joint exercise involving the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force and privately-owned vessels that are out in the waters searching.

Additionally, three emergency-centres have been set up at the Umana Yana in Georgetown; at the Port Kaituma Community Centre, NWD, and at the NAREI Extension Centre in Kumaka, Mabaruma in Region One, to assist family members of the 133 persons who were on board the ferry.

Related