A rescue operation is underway off the coast of Guyana after the MV Barima capsized with 116 people on board. 67 survivors have been rescued so far, including 15 children, as search efforts continue.
A massive search-and-rescue operation is currently underway off the coast of Guyana after the passenger ferry MV Barima capsized late Saturday night. Authorities have confirmed that the vessel was carrying 116 passengers and crew at the time of the incident, with at least 67 people including 15 children, successfully rescued as of Sunday morning.
The MV Barima was navigating its standard route along the North Atlantic coast, travelling from the capital, Georgetown, toward Port Kaituma, when it encountered a catastrophic failure near the Pomeroon River. The vessel issued a distress call at approximately 11:01 p.m. local time (03:01 GMT Sunday), immediately triggering a multi-agency response to the dark, churning waters.
An Urgent Rescue Operation
Guyanese Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is spearheading the government’s emergency response, confirmed the initial rescue figures early Sunday. He stated that the operation remains fluid, with state vessels and private craft working in tandem to comb the area. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill took to social media to provide updates on the situation, confirming that the MV Barima was equipped with significant safety infrastructure, including 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and six inflatable rafts.
Despite the availability of this equipment, the rapid nature of the capsize has left officials in a state of high alert. Medical teams have been dispatched to the search area and are on standby at regional ports, ready to provide immediate triage and care for survivors as they are brought ashore.
Uncertainty Remains
As daylight broke on Sunday, the focus of the operation intensified. While 67 people have been accounted for, the status of the remaining passengers remains unknown. Guyanese officials have been cautious in their public statements, acknowledging the gravity of the situation without confirming casualties at this stage. The priority remains the “active search and rescue” phase, with authorities maintaining an optimistic outlook that additional survivors may be found in the coming hours.
The circumstances that led the MV Barima to capsize remain unclear. Investigations into the mechanical state of the vessel, weather conditions at the time of the distress call, and potential navigation errors are expected to follow once the rescue phase concludes. For now, the entire region is focused on the water. Families of the passengers have begun to gather at designated assembly points near Georgetown, waiting for news as the coastguard continues to navigate the difficult conditions near the Pomeroon River.
This incident marks one of the most significant maritime emergencies in recent Guyanese history. As the nation holds its breath, the success of the ongoing mission depends heavily on the coordination between local fishing vessels—many of which were the first to respond to the distress call—and state emergency services.
