A tragic maritime incident has left Guyana reeling after the MV Burima ferry sank in the river on its way to Region 1. The vessel, carrying 133 people, sent a distress call around 11 pm on the night of the incident. According to reports, the ferry began sinking around 12:27 am, with passengers sending WhatsApp voice notes to loved ones. As of this morning, 67 people have been rescued, but 66 remain unaccounted for. The VPAC organization is making a desperate appeal to the government of Guyana to seek assistance from regional partners, including Trinidad and Tobago and Exxon, to aid in search and rescue operations. Survivor accounts suggest that many passengers were asleep in hammocks and had little time to react. The vessel, built in 1939, was rated for 150 people and 250 tons of cargo. Guyana’s search and rescue helicopters have reportedly been down for months, hampering efforts. The VPAC is urging the government to put aside pride and accept help to find the missing.
Article and image source: facebook.com
