Officials say 116 passengers aboard have sunk off the coast of Guyana.

A boat carrying 116 passengers has sunk off the coast of Guyana and eight people have been rescued so far, local authorities said.

MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt while traveling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 +1 BST) and an urgent search operation involving public and private boats was launched, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said in a statement posted on social media.

The status of the operation is currently unclear and it is not known if authorities expect to rescue the remaining passengers.

MV Barima was built in 1939 and is 40 meters (131 feet) long, as listed on the SDR.

Edgill said 250 life jackets, two rigid life jackets and six inflatable life jackets were installed.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips is said to be leading the government’s response.