TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two fishers have died after falling overboard in Taiwan’s western waters on Wednesday.

The Chiayi County Fire Department received a report at 6:57 p.m. on Wednesday about an accident involving a fishing vessel near the waters off Sihu Township, CNA reported. An Indonesian and a Chinese crew member fell overboard and lost consciousness. Rescue units were immediately dispatched.

The Coast Guard’s Budai branch said the Taiwan-registered fishing vessel was hit by strong winds and waves, causing the two crew members to fall overboard. The vessel's crew managed to rescue them and reach Budai Commercial Harbor under the escort of a Coast Guard patrol boat. 

Paramedics found the two men, both around 30 years old, without vital signs. Their bodies were handed over to funeral service personnel, while police and Coast Guard officers continued their investigation.

Authorities said the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.