Guyana ferry disaster
A massive search and rescue operation is currently in progress following a distress call from the passenger vessel MV Barima late Saturday night.
The ferry departed at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, carrying 116 passengers and its crew, bound for Port Kaituma in the North West District. According to Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, the Timehri Control Tower received a distress signal at 11:01 p.m., which immediately triggered an emergency response involving both state and private assets.
Minister Edghill has confirmed that eight people have been rescued alive as of the latest reports. Search teams continue to comb the area for the remaining passengers and crew.
To support the mission, air and sea assets from Regions Two and Three have been deployed to the site. Medical teams are stationed on responding vessels, and the government has positioned one of its transport steamers to serve as a floating medical base to provide immediate treatment to survivors.
While the specific circumstances leading to the distress call have not yet been released, the Minister noted that the MV Barima was well-equipped for emergencies. The vessel carried 250 life jackets and six inflatable liferafts, meeting its standard safety requirements.
A dedicated rescue operations centre has been activated, with all relevant emergency response agencies fully engaged in the effort. “There is an active search and rescue operation and we pray for the safety of all,” Edghill stated, adding that authorities are moving at “full steam” to ensure everyone is recovered.
The search and rescue operation remains ongoing.
