Two missing after boat capsizes in Essequibo River

Two passengers remain missing after the vessel they were travelling in sank on Saturday.

The incident occurred between 18:45hrs and 19:00hrs on the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Calf Island, Police Headquarters reported.

The vessel had 10 passengers onboard along with the captain, 34-year-old Jermin Blackman and his 18-year-old bowman, Lamuel Allen, both of Bartica in Region Seven.

Blackman told police that the 10 passengers including popular entertainer Darrel Romeo called ‘Magnum’ left Parika Stelling enroute to Bartica.

During the journey, Blackman said the vessel punctured while navigating around a damaged Beacon and then began to sink.

The captain said he attempted to sail to shore but the vessel sunk before reaching shore.

Passengers began swimming to the shore for safety. Information was circulated and public-spirited persons from Bartica went to the location and assisted in rescuing the survivors.

Upon checking, two persons were unaccounted for. It is unclear at this stage as to whether all the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

Survivors were taken to Bartica Regional Hospital to seek medical attention and is currently being assessed.

A search party is presently in the area making checks for the two persons who are feared drowned.

Both the Captain and Bowman are in custody assisting with investigations.