North West ferry update: More than 50 people rescued

More than 50 people have been rescued as a major search-and-rescue operation continues following a distress call from the passenger vessel MV Barima late Saturday night while en route to Port Kaituma.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill said the ferry departed at approximately 3:15 p.m. with 116 passengers, in addition to its crew, bound for the North West District.

According to the minister, the Timheri Control Tower received the distress call at approximately 11:01 p.m., triggering an immediate emergency response.

The minister said the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets and six inflatable liferafts, in keeping with its safety requirements.

Air and sea assets from Regions Two and Three have been deployed to assist in the rescue effort, while medical teams are stationed aboard responding vessels. One of the government’s transport steamers has also been positioned as a floating medical base to provide treatment to survivors.

The minister said a rescue operations centre has been activated and that all agencies responsible for emergency response are fully engaged.

Authorities have not yet released details on the circumstances that led to the distress call. The search-and-rescue operation remains ongoing.