As search and rescue operations continue following Saturday night’s capsizing of the MV Barima off Guyana’s coast, a total of 69 persons have been rescued while the bodies of 27 persons have been recovered.
This update was provided by Prime Minister Mark Phillips moments ago during a press conference.
PM Phillips emphasised that, “we still have hope people out there are alive”.
Of the 27 bodies recovered, four are children. It is estimated that about 83 persons remain unaccounted for.
“Our focus…is on finding people, finding them alive. Unfortunately, we did find some people who have passed on…and in that case, efforts to recover their bodies and have them positively identified and working with their families and their communities to bring closure,” PM Phillips added.
It is now estimated that the MV Barima had 179 occupants – inclusive of 18 crew members – when it went down.
Initially, it was reported that there were 116 passengers along with 17 crew members on board the vessel, but that figure was on Sunday night ruled as not precise by authorities, who noted that the manifest was inaccurate.
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