Ferry carrying 116 people capsizes off coast of Guyana

"At about 3:15 pm this afternoon (1915 GMT), the MV Barima departed with 116 passengers plus crew for port Kaituna," Edghill said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

"A distress call was received... at approximately 11:01 pm (0301 GMT Sunday)," Edghill said, adding that emergency operations were launched.

"As of now we have already retrieved 8 persons alive."

Edghill said medical services were headed to the area to care for those rescued by Guyana's coast guard and by private boats.

"There is an active search and rescue operation that is taking place, and we pray for the safety of all," he said.

Port Kaituma is a town in the Essequibo region, which is the subject of a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.