Ferry carrying 116 passengers sinks off Guyana coast, authorities say - BBC News

The vessel capsized between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, with 53 people so far rescued.

Image source, Prime Minister Mark PhillipsImage caption, Rescuers have had to work through the night in their search for passengers

A ferry carrying 116 passengers has sunk off the coast of Guyana with 53 people so far rescued, local authorities have said.

The MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt, on its route from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma on Saturday.

A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01GMT), triggering a search operation involving state and private boats, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said in a statement posted on social media.

"There is an active search and rescue operation that is taking place, and we pray for the safety of all," Edghill said on Sunday, AFP news agency reports.