According to local officials, 67 passengers were rescued from the incident, including 15 children. Authorities have not reported any confirmed survivors since Sunday afternoon, and the total number of people aboard at the time of the sinking remains unclear.
The vessel, identified as MV Barima, was carrying passengers when it went down off the coast of Guyana. Emergency responders and rescue teams have been actively working in the waters, with boats and personnel scouring the area for additional survivors and lifeboats. A spokeswoman for the coast guard indicated that the operation is ongoing and that conditions at sea could complicate recovery efforts.
Officials have not released a specific casualty figure as the search continues, and inquiries are underway to determine the total number of people aboard and to account for those missing. Authorities have pledged to provide updates as new information becomes available.
The incident has drawn responses from local authorities and emergency services who are coordinating efforts to reach families and transport survivors to medical facilities for assessment and treatment as needed. The national government has ordered a review of ferry safety protocols and vessel compliance in response to the accident.
International observers have noted the region’s vulnerability to maritime accidents due to weather conditions and the age and maintenance of some vessels. Investigators are expected to inspect the wreckage and gather data from the voyage’s departure point, passenger manifests, and crew statements to determine the cause of the sinking.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities urged calm and cooperation from the public, stressing that findings will inform future safety measures and potential regulatory actions aimed at preventing similar tragedies along Guyana’s coast. The update on casualty figures and the status of the search is expected in subsequent briefings.