The number of bodies recovered following the sinking of the MV Barima has increased to 53, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said during a press conference on Tuesday evening.
Authorities have also verified that 76 people were rescued. Based on the government’s estimate that 179 people were aboard the ferry, the latest figures leave 50 people unaccounted for.
The new figures represent a significant change from Monday, when OilNOW reported that 27 bodies had been recovered, 69 people rescued and 83 remained missing.
Phillips said French and local divers searched the wreckage but found no survivors inside. One body was located within the vessel but had not yet been recovered as of 6 p.m. Further dives will be conducted with additional equipment.
Sixteen state and private-sector vessels are supporting the operation, while the search area has been expanded to approximately 2,100 square kilometres, extending as far as Waini Point.
Of the 53 bodies recovered, 26 had been positively identified. Eleven had already been transported to their respective communities at the request of their families.
Additional personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Brazil were expected to arrive on Wednesday to reinforce the operation.
The government said search, rescue and recovery efforts would continue until every reasonable avenue had been exhausted. President Irfaan Ali has announced three days of national mourning.
