A ferry carrying 116 passengers has sunk off the coast of Guyana, with eight people so far rescued, local authorities have said. The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
What happened to the ferry?
The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt on its route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 +1 BST), prompting an urgent search operation involving state and private boats, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said in a statement posted on social media.
What is the current rescue situation?
The state of the operation is currently unclear, and it is not known whether authorities expect to rescue the remaining passengers. Eight people have so far been rescued, according to local authorities.
What is known about the MV Barima?
The MV Barima was built in 1939 and is 40m (131ft) long, according to a listing on VesselFinder. Edghill said it was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts and six inflatable life crafts.
Who is leading the government response?
Prime Minister Mark Phillips is said to be leading the government response.
