Authorities remain hopeful that survivors could still be found inside the submerged MV Barima, despite the rising death toll, as rescue teams intensify efforts to reach the vessel resting on the seabed.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said during Monday’s press briefing that the MV Barima has been located on the seabed, close to the point where the vessel’s initial distress signal was transmitted, approximately nine nautical miles offshore near Devonshire Castle Flats.
Maritime experts have advised that the vessel may contain air pockets, raising the possibility that some passengers trapped inside could still be alive, Phillips said.
“I’m advised again by Mr Thomas and Captain Flores that a ship like that has pockets of air, and wherever people are located, you may very well have people alive there a couple of days after the incident.
The earlier we get there, there’s always an opportunity, always a chance of saving a few lives. That’s why we insist that this remains a search and rescue operation,” Phillips said.
French military divers have joined local dive teams at the wreck site and are preparing to enter the vessel as soon as conditions permit in hopes of locating survivors, the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Government has strengthened its victim identification process as bodies continue to be recovered.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, along with Chief Medical Officer Dr Narine Singh and senior medical personnel, has been deployed to Region Two to oversee the recovery, identification and processing of victims, Phillips announced.
Authorities are also preparing for the possible use of DNA testing should visual identification become impossible.
“So far we have not had to use it, but definitely that was discussed and plans are in place,” Phillips said.
To ease the identification process for grieving relatives, officials have begun photographing every recovered body. The photographs will be displayed at designated command centres in Georgetown, Charity, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Suddie Hospital, allowing family members to identify loved ones without repeatedly opening body bags or disturbing the deceased.
The Government says the measures are intended to provide families with a more dignified process while assisting investigators as search, rescue and recovery operations continue.
