(Kaieteur News) – The death toll following the capsizing of the MV Barima could possibly reach 110 after Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that 27 bodies have so far been recovered, with 83 passengers still missing.

Providing an update to the media on Monday at the boardroom of his office, Phillips said updates will continue to be provided as the operation progresses. He noted that from the moment the distress signal was received until now, the primary focus has been rescuing those aboard the vessel.

“At first light today, 13 assets were deployed to augment the rescue operations that were continued throughout the night in search of the MV Barima passengers and crew. At approximately 09:26 hours, debris was sighted at sea by a pilot vessel. Shortly thereafter, GDFS Shahoud identified a substantial debris field, some 2.5 nautical miles off the coast of Devonshire Castle Flats. The body of a female was recovered off the coast at Moruca at approximately 10:45 hours,” he said.