(Kaieteur News) – Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips confirmed Friday that the search for victims of the MV Barima capsizing has expanded, with recovery crews now combing an additional 32 square miles stretching west to Waini Point and east to Adventure. Seventeen state assets — three aircraft and 14 maritime vessels — remain engaged around the clock, backed by continuous aerial surveillance.

Divers completed five dives on Friday, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes. One recovered a body from the vessel, bringing the number of bodies found to 73, of whom 69 have been positively identified. Of those, 63 have been released to their families, and six more are being transported to their home communities for burial. Twenty-two funerals have been held so far.

PM Phillips said the effort would continue “as long as necessary to ensure that every possible effort is made to account for those affected, with the utmost care, dignity, and respect.”