MV Barima recovery efforts continue amid hope of recovering missing victims

On Thursday night, President Dr. Irfaan Ali met with families still awaiting news about their loved ones following the tragic sinking of the MV Barima. During the meeting, officials briefed relatives on the ongoing search, rescue, and recovery efforts, outlining the progress made and the challenges that remain. President Ali explained that crews have encountered difficulties in trying to move the submerged vessel. However, he said divers were able to make enough progress on Thursday to allow another attempt to enter the wreck on Friday. “In the event that we don’t get the type of movement we want with the boat, the divers were able to do enough work to go back tomorrow [Friday] to try to go into the vessel and try to release as much as they can release,” the President said. He added that by 10:00 a.m. Friday, authorities expected to know how successful that operation had been. He also noted that because of the movement achieved on the vessel during Thursday’s operation, there is a possibility that any bodies trapped inside could have been dislodged and may surface during the night, potentially aiding recovery efforts. If divers are unable to recover those believed to be trapped inside the vessel, President Ali said the only remaining option would be a full salvage operation – an approach the authorities are hoping to avoid. “Apart from that, the only other option after that, which we don’t want to get to – we are trying to avoid it as much as possible – but that will have to be discussed with family members, is to try for a full salvage of the vessel. That has the challenge of disrupting whatever is there,” he said. The President stressed that officials remain hopeful such a step will not be necessary.