At least four missing after tugboat sinks off coast of India

At least four people are missing after an explosion on board a tugboat at Piram Bet island in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district in India on Friday.

According to initial reports, there were 14-15 people on board at the time of the incident.

The tugboat capsized and then sank following the blast in its diesel tank near Alang, according to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).

Three crew members were rescued, said GMB vice chairman and CEO Mukesh Kumar.

The tugboat had been hired by customs officials to reach a ship anchored in the sea near the coast of Alang town in Bhavnagar district, around 220 km from Ahmedabad.

The blast occurred shortly after customs officials had boarded the larger vessel to carry out an inspection.

A video showed the tugboat sinking rapidly with fire and smoke billowing from the engine area.

One crew member can be seen grabbing a rope thrown from the ship.