Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has sharply criticised the Government’s decision not to raise the sunken MV Barima, describing the move as “an act of cruelty” toward families whose loved ones remain missing and offering to personally coordinate an international salvage operation to recover the vessel.

In a statement recorded to his social media page, Mohamed said the Government had abandoned any genuine effort to recover the ferry despite families pleading for the remains of relatives believed to still be trapped inside the wreck.

“The government decision that it would not raise the MV Barima while scores of families are still waiting on their loved ones who are still missing is an act of cruelty toward those families. Families have reached out to me saying they want the bodies of their loved ones, even if all that remain are bones.”