Overview
- The MV Barima left Georgetown for Port Kaituma on Saturday afternoon and issued a distress call around 11:00 pm before capsizing near Iron Punt.
- Rescuers have recovered 67 people so far but officials continue to list dozens as missing as military, coastguard and private boats widen the search.
- Government teams dispatched medical crews to treat survivors and say the ferry carried lifejackets and lifeboats and was within its licensed capacity.
- Early official statements point to a large wave striking the vessel as a possible cause and investigators are continuing on-scene inquiries into the accident.
- The ferry is reported to be an older vessel built in 1939 and the incident has major impact on the small nation as authorities work to account for those aboard.