Ferry carrying 116 passengers capsizes as desperate rescue operation underway with 53 survivors found so far

A FERRY carrying 116 passengers has capsized off the coast of Guyana, triggering a massive search and rescue mission. The MV Barima bound for the port of Kaituna issued a distress call at around 11pm local time on Saturday. The MV Barima has capsized off the coast of Guyana with 116 passengers on board Credit: Transport and Habours Department The ship was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life craft and six inflatable life craft Credit: Transport and Habours Department Government minister Juan Edghill said 53 people have been rescued alive so far. Another ferry has been deployed to the area to provide emergency treatment and care to survivors. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “The medical services are on board one of our Transport (and Harbours Department) steamers, heading to the area to provide a base to start providing medical attention to those who require as soon as they are rescued,” he said. The vessel was located by an aerial search and rescue team, after the crew sent off flares, a senior official told local media. Rescuers have had to work through the night in their search for passengers Credit: Prime Minister Mark Phillips Passengers being rescued after the MV Barima capzised in Guyana Credit: Prime Minister Mark Phillips A frantic search and rescue operation is now underway after the government triggered an emergency response. “We pray for the safety of all,” Edghill added. It is understood that the vessel departed from Georgetown at 3pm on Saturday. The MV Barima was built in 1939 and is 40m (131ft) long, according to a listing on VesselFinder. Most read in The Sun It was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life craft and six inflatable life craft, according to the Public Works Ministry. Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan, said the Air Corps and Coast Guard are headed to the scene. “A tough morning. Air and marine teams mobilised,” he told local media outlet Demerara Waves. Except for the GDF, the Guyana government had no crisis communications response to this potentially serious disaster, demerarawaves reports. There was no designated communications personnel to answer queries and provide official updates. It comes just days after a packed tourist boat capsized while returning from a day trip in Vietnam, leaving 15 dead. The vessel had been carrying 32 holidaymakers from India and four crew members when it suddenly flipped and threw everyone overboard. The tourists had been on an island-hopping day trip from Hon May Rut Ngoai when their speedboat overturned 1,310ft from Phu Quoc. Nearby tourist boats raced to the scene after spotting the capsized vessel at around around 1pm on July 11. Border guards and navy eventually saved 21 people but 15 people – two women and 13 men – were confirmed dead. All of the 15 bodies were recovered and the injured were rushed to hospital. In a post on X the Indian Embassy in Vietnam described the incident as “tragic”. Comment now