A ferry with 116 passengers on board sank off the coast of Guyana / Eight people rescued; search ongoing

The MV Barima ferry, carrying 116 passengers, sank near the Iron Punt area during the trip between Georgetown and Port Kaituma. Authorities were alerted at 11:01 PM local time, triggering a large search and rescue operation involving both state vessels and private boats. So far, eight people have been rescued, but the situation remains unclear, and authorities have not provided details about the total number of people located or the chances of rescuing everyone on board. The MV Barima, built in 1939, is approximately 40 meters long and was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid rescue boats, and six inflatable rafts. The government's response is coordinated by Prime Minister Mark Phillips, and search operations continue.