Seventy-seven persons have been rescued and 41 bodies recovered so far in the MV Barima ferry disaster, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) said on Tuesday, as 16 vessels continued combing an expanded search area for survivors.

MRCC said 14 bodies had been retrieved as of 13:00 hrs today, with the first recovery made at 10:15 hrs.
The search zone has been expanded by 400 square miles, extending up to Waini Point, to maximise the likelihood of locating any remaining persons, MRCC said.

French and local divers are continuing underwater search and recovery operations at the wreckage site.
Family members are undertaking identification of recovered bodies at Suddie Hospital.

Stakeholders involved in the operations have been advised that any bodies retrieved during search and rescue or recovery efforts must be immediately transferred to the custody of the Guyana Police Force at the established facility at Charity River Dam.