At least 27 people have died and 83 are still missing after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Guyana overnight. A major search and rescue operation is underway in the Atlantic Ocean as emergency services battle challenging conditions.

The incident represents one of the deadliest maritime accidents in the region in recent years, prompting urgent calls for answers regarding the vessel's fate. Details regarding the ferry's name and its exact passenger manifest remain unclear.

Rescue teams are battling challenging conditions in the Atlantic Ocean as they search for survivors following one of the deadliest maritime accidents in the region in recent memory.

Reports suggest the vessel overturned in waters near Georgetown, the Guyanese capital. The precise cause of the capsizing has not yet been determined, and an investigation has been immediately launched by authorities.

Extensive Search and Rescue Efforts

Emergency teams, comprising local coast guard units and civilian fishing boats, are actively scouring the area. Divers have also been deployed to explore the sunken hull, with hopes of finding any passengers who may have been trapped inside.

The scale of the disaster has mobilised significant resources, with neighbouring countries reportedly offering assistance for the ongoing recovery and rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Calls for Inquiry

Guyana's Prime Minister confirmed an official inquiry into the tragedy has commenced. He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed hope that more individuals would be found alive as the search operations continue through Tuesday.

Ferry travel is a common mode of transport for communities along Guyana's coast and rivers, often connecting remote areas to larger urban centres. Incidents of this magnitude, however, are rare and underscore the inherent risks of maritime passages.

Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the missing passengers or the circumstances leading to the capsizing to come forward. The national emergency response centre remains active, providing updates as the situation develops.