Luwuk, Central Sulawesi. A motor vessel sank in waters near Taliabu Island in North Maluku province early Monday, with search efforts ongoing for 27 missing crew members, authorities said.

The Palu Search and Rescue Agency in Central Sulawesi received a report that the vessel, Nazila 05, suffered damage amid severe weather before sinking at around 3:30 a.m. local time (18:30 GMT), said SAR Palu chief Moh Rizal.

According to initial reports, the crew attempted to evacuate using a lifeboat before the vessel went down.

The ship had departed from Taliabu Island on Sunday evening. About nine hours later, the captain reported an emergency to the vessel’s owner before confirming that the ship had sunk.

“All crew members were reported to have evacuated onto a longboat before the vessel sank. However, their whereabouts remain unknown,” Rizal said.

At around 10:15 a.m. local time, a SAR team departed from Lalong Port in Luwuk Regency to begin search operations for the missing crew, including the captain, identified as Gazali.

Authorities have also urged vessels passing through nearby waters to assist in monitoring efforts and to report any signs of the missing crew, Rizal added.