At least three fishermen were killed and 12 injured after a ship rammed into a country fishing boat off Munambam coast near Kochi in Kerala on Tuesday.

The three deceased were from Tamil Nadu and have been identified as Yuganathan (45), Manakudi (50) and Yakub (57). All the three bodies have been recovered. A Keralite and a migrant labourer were also on the ill-fated boat. The rest were all from Kolachal in Tamil Nadu.

There were 15 people on the boat named Oceana. Two people have been rescued and are admitted to a hospital in Kochi. Nine people are missing, according to early reports. The accident happened around 3 am on Tuesday. Rescue operations are underway.

The ship's identity was not immediately known as it did not stop and continued on its course after the collision, reported Onmanorama. Officials are trying to track down the ship. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed the Ernakulam district collector to take immediate action in the incident.

A tragic accident has occurred in the high seas near Kochi, in which a fishing boat was hit by a ship. CM Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed the Ernakulam district collector to take immediate measures. Rescue efforts are under way. — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 7, 2018

The boat was in fishing off Chettuva coast near Kochi when it was hit by the ship. Sources said the name of the ship could either be Deshshakti or Deshshanti.

(With inputs from Onmanorama)