The communications arm of the Office of the Prime Minister has explained that the increase in the number of confirmed survivors from the MV Barima tragedy was the result of further verification, not necessarily new rescues over the past 24 hours.
The clarification was provided after questions were raised about how the official survivor count moved from 69 to 77 overnight.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the adjustment was mainly due to information coming in from several different sources involved in the search and rescue operation.
“As that information came in, it was carefully reviewed and verified to eliminate any duplication and provide a more accurate account of the number of persons rescued,” the statement noted.
Officials said the previously reported figure was 69. However, after additional checks were carried out overnight, authorities were able to confirm that 77 persons who were aboard the vessel had been rescued.
“This is a positive development, and we can now safely report that 77 persons have been verified as rescued,” the Office of the Prime Minister stated.
The statement added that arriving at the updated figure required the examination of records and information submitted by all those involved in the operation.
The clarification comes as authorities continue efforts to account for all persons who were aboard the MV Barima when it sank during its voyage to Port Kaituma.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips had earlier said the vessel had 179 persons on board, with search and recovery teams still working to locate those missing.
The Government has said the operation involves the Joint Services, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, private vessel operators, fisherfolk, emergency responders and international partners.
Officials have also stressed that information is being verified before release, as authorities work to provide accurate updates to the public and bring closure to affected families.
