Elena Moonsammy a survivor of last night’s capsizing of the MV Barima fears that she has lost seven members of her family in the tragedy: five girls and two boys.
Moonsammy recounted to Kiskadee Watch the struggle to survive.
She said that the tragedy happened within seconds. She said the ferry made a sudden tilt after a wave came and water rushed in. She said that the boat was well packed with boxes and these boxes pinned them down. She said that she was holding a two-year-old baby but was unable to save the baby despite tugging and trying to clear a way from under the boxes.
She broke down in tears and said she was barely able to make it out. She said that she saw a floating box and saw another lady fighting to survive and told her to also hold on to the box.
Authorities have confirmed that 67 persons inclusive of 15 children have been rescued so far following the maritime accident, which occurred after the vessel transmitted a distress signal shortly before midnight.
The MV Barima, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, was carrying 116 passengers including children when it overturned. Seventeen crew are aboard.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said the vessel departed Georgetown at approximately 3.15 pm on Saturday. At around 11 pm, the Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower received a distress signal from the vessel, prompting the activation of emergency response protocols.
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