Authorities order probe into hit-and-run case off Kerala coast

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The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the hit-and-run incident off Kerala's Quilon in which a fishing vessel was sunk, leaving two fishermen killed, two injured and three missing, an official said.

The DGS has directed the principal officer of mercantile marine department, Kochi, to conduct the preliminary inquiry into the incident, which occurred on the high seas off the southwest coast of India.

The ill-fated boat, Don-I, owned by Mani aka Antony Jacob, had gone fishing on Sunday evening and carried seven men in board.

One of the fishermen, Michael who reached the shore without serious injury, alleged that the ship rammed Don-I despite warnings from the fishing boat. The accident happened around 3am.

"It was an ill-lit oil tanker. It hit us when we were casting the fishing net," he said.

Shaji, a fellow boatman, said they battled for over an hour to rescue the others and trace the wrecked boat.

"The mishap happened in Indian territorial waters," he told Deccan Chronicle.

Police are investigating

Superintendent of police, K.G. James said they were yet to determine the identity of the vessel involved in the incident.

Combined forces from the Coast Guard and Navy have launched a massive search operation for the ship and the missing fishermen.

Four ships and a Dornier aircraft have been deployed and the INS Sarvekshak from Southern Naval Command and ICGS Savitribai Phule, which were at sea, were diverted to the area while Coast Guard Interceptor Boats- C-144 from Kochi and C-143 from Vizhinjam also sailed out to augment search and rescue.

Intrestingly, one of the dead, Justin, was reportedly the first to alert authorities about the recent Enrica Lexie's firing on Indian fishermen.