A ferry carrying 116 passengers sinks off the coast of French Guiana

The MV Barima capsized Saturday evening near Iron Punt, on the road between Georgetown and Port Kaituma. Fifty-three people were rescued, and the search continues.

Rescuers worked throughout the night off the coast of French Guiana after the MV Barima, a ferry carrying 116 passengers, sank. The distress call was received at 23:01 p.m. local time (3:01 a.m. GMT), triggering an operation involving both public and private vessels.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill confirmed the incident in a statement posted on social media. "An active search and rescue operation is underway, and we pray for everyone's safety," he said on Sunday. So far, 53 people have been rescued, including passengers and crew members.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips indicated that rescue teams hope to find more survivors as the search continues. Three reception centers have been opened for the relatives of the survivors and those still missing. A full list of those on board will not be released until the rescue operations and medical examinations are complete, he stated on Facebook.

Built in 1939, the MV Barima is 40 meters long. According to Minister Edghill, the ship was equipped with 250 life jackets, two rigid lifeboats and six inflatable rafts.