A cargo vessel carrying about 160 tonnes of construction materials and other goods sank nearly 18 nautical miles off the Beypore coast late on Tuesday night. All eight crew members on board were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and brought ashore by Wednesday (October 21) morning.

The vessel, MSV Jesus Heart, was on its way from Beypore to Kavaratti in Lakshadweep when the accident occurred around 11.25 p.m. on Tuesday (October 20).

The Coast Guard launched a rescue operation soon after receiving an alert. A tugboat was used to rescue the eight crew members, who were safely brought to shore by Wednesday morning.

Officials from the Beypore Port said it was the timely intervention of the Coast Guard that averted a major tragedy.  They said they were awaiting further details regarding the circumstances that led to the sinking.