SEARCH and recovery efforts following the MV Barima Tragedy will receive a major boost on Wednesday with the arrival of personnel from the Brazilian Navy and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips announced this on Tuesday at his office.
The regional teams are expected to reinforce Guyana’s ongoing operation, which has intensified since the wreckage of the vessel was located.
“Additional support from the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil is en route to Guyana. Personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy are expected to arrive tomorrow to reinforce the ongoing search and rescue operations,” the prime minister said.
The additional personnel will join an extensive multi-agency response involving 16 state and private sector vessels, French and local divers, aerial surveillance assets, and an expanded search area stretching to Waini point.
Prime Minister Phillips said the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains fully operational and assured that the operation will continue until every reasonable effort has been exhausted.
“The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains fully operational and search, rescue, and recovery efforts will continue until every reasonable effort has been exhausted,” he affirmed.
As of 18:00 hours Tuesday, authorities had verified that 76 persons were rescued, while 53 bodies had been recovered, with 26 positively identified.
The government has also been facilitating the transportation of relatives for victim identification and the repatriation of bodies to their home communities.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has declared three days of national mourning as the Guyanese continue to grieve the tragedy. (DPI)