A ferry carrying 116 passengers has sunk off the coast of Guyana, with 53 people rescued so far, according to Antigua News Room.
The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt on Saturday while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. A distress call was received at 23:01 local time, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation involving both state and private vessels.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced the incident in a statement posted to social media, confirming that authorities mobilised immediately following the distress signal. Prime Minister Mark Phillips is said to be leading the government's response.
Minister Edghill noted that the vessel was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts, and six inflatable life crafts. The MV Barima, built in 1939, measures 40 metres — approximately 131 feet — in length, according to a listing on VesselFinder.
The status of the ongoing rescue operation remains unclear. It is not yet known whether authorities expect to locate and rescue the remaining passengers.
