A search and rescue operation was launched early this morning following the sinking of a tanker barge about 9.5 nautical miles off Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara. Two crew members are missing.

According to a statement from the Maritime Administration Department, the barge was engaged in the transport of a cargo of molasses from Berbice to Georgetown at the time of the incident around 1 o’clock this morning.

MARAD said Immediately upon receipt of the distress communication, emergency response operations were activated to search for the missing persons.

The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard is assisting with the search operations, which are being led by the Maritime Administration Department and supported by the owner of the vessel.

Family members of the two missing men have been in regular contact with the authorities, but not much new information has been provided since the incident this morning. The search operations are ongoing.

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