THE number of people who lost their lives when the MV Barima capsized last weekend rose to 65 yesterday, as efforts continue to refloat the 87-year-old vessel that sank as it made its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of the country.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips told a news conference that five new bodies had been retrieved yesterday and that “the total number of bodies recovered since the commencement of search and rescue operation now stands at 65”.

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES: Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips speaks at yesterday’s news conference.