(Kaieteur News) – The MV Barima, carrying 116 passengers, capsized near Iron Punt, Pomeroon, late Saturday night while en route to Port Kaituma, triggering a frantic overnight search-and-rescue operation involving both state and private resources.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, in an early morning national update, confirmed that eight persons had been rescued alive as emergency teams raced against time to locate the remaining passengers. (click link to see full video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E5bwpN2WD/?mibextid=wwXIfr)

Edghill said the vessel, which operates the Georgetown–North West District route, departed Georgetown at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. At around 11:00 p.m., Timehri Air Traffic Control Towers received a distress call, prompting an immediate emergency response.