Vizhinjam: An unidentified vessel reportedly rammed into a fishing boat 19 nautical miles off Vizhinjam coast on Saturday. The collision split the boat into two pieces, leaving the crew stranded in the sea for about an hour.

Five workers on the boat were injured in the incident, with one in critical condition. Following the incident, the boat submerged, . Fortunately, a group of fishermen passing through the area spotted the trapped crew and rescued them.   

The accident happened around 11:30 a.m. The injured are Cleitus (45), Selvan (42), Mariadasan (42), John (43) and Andrews (55), all Poonthura natives. Andrews, who sustained critical injuries, was admitted to the ICU at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

Upon hearing the news, officials from the marine enforcement and coastal police arrived and shifted the injured to the medical college in an ambulance. The authorities have made efforts to identify the ship that rammed into the boat.