A ferry carrying 116 passengers and crew capsized off the coast of Guyana, with more than 50 people rescued. Rescuers are still searching for dozens missing, reports infohub.kz.
According to local authorities, the MV Barima issued a distress call at about 11pm on Saturday (03:00 GMT on Sunday) and capsized near Iron Punt while traveling from Guyana's capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
Guyana's Prime Minister Mark Phillips told AFP news agency on Sunday that 53 people had been rescued. He expressed hope that more people would be rescued as the search operation progresses during daylight hours.
The rescue operation involves Guyana's coastguard and private vessels, according to Guyana's Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.
Edghill said the ferry was equipped with some 250 life jackets, eight lifeboats and other safety gear. He added that a medical team was being dispatched to the search area to treat people as soon as they are rescued.
"There is an active search and rescue operation that is taking place, and we pray for the safety of all," Edghill said in a video post shared on Facebook.
The circumstances surrounding the boat accident were not immediately clear.