(Kaieteur News) – Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips is leading a high-level Government response after the MV Barima, carrying 116 passengers, capsized off Guyana’s coast near Iron Punt in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River late Saturday night.

In a statement issued early Sunday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Government has deployed all necessary State and private-sector assets as a full-scale search-and-rescue operation continues.

The statement said the vessel’s crew transmitted distress signals late Saturday night, triggering the immediate activation of emergency response mechanisms. Rescue operations remained ongoing into Sunday morning, with Phillips who is performing the functions of the President receiving continuous updates from response teams.