An ageing ferry carrying more than 100 people capsized off the coast of Guyana, with rescue teams saving 67 people, officials said, as the search continues into Monday.

The ferry MV Barima left the small English-speaking country at the northeast corner of South America on Saturday afternoon with at least 133 people aboard for a trip from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

Port Kaituma is inland in the oil-rich Essequibo region, and the ferry travels along the coast in the Atlantic before heading upriver to reach its jungle destination.

Guyanese Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said on Sunday that a ship manifest listing 133 people on board was not "a true reflection of the occupants on board," asking family members and loved ones to reach out to officials to create an official tally of those missing.

Preliminary findings found that the ship flipped over after being hit by a big wave, Edghill said earlier on Facebook.

"Search and Rescue Advancing. 67 persons, inclusive of 15 children rescued so far," he said.

The rescued victims include 41 men, 11 women, six boys and nine girls, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said in a statement on Sunday.

Phillips later said an investigation had been launched, adding that two crew members were found to have tested positive for cannabis.

Authorities are listing those who haven't been rescued as missing, rather than dead, though two bodies – a male and a female – have been recovered from the scene. (AFP)


Edited by Aaron Tam