Hiroshima, Japan—Two people were confirmed dead Sunday following a collision between two vessels in the waters off the Hiroshima coast. The Coast Guard received an emergency signal shortly after sunrise. Rescue boats were dispatched to the site of the crash within twenty minutes.

Visibility was reportedly moderate when the collision took place in the bay. Both vessels sustained heavy structural damage before one of them submerged. Divers recovered two bodies from the cabin of the smaller craft during the early afternoon recovery mission.

Search crews are scouring the area to ensure no other individuals went overboard. The remaining passengers from the second vessel were rescued and taken to a nearby port for medical evaluation. Their conditions are currently stable.

Coast Guard investigators have begun questioning the captains of both vessels to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary findings suggest a potential failure in navigation equipment or a lapse in communication between the two crews.

Large ships frequently traverse these coastal channels, requiring strict adherence to sea-lane protocols. Authorities have requested that all private vessels stay clear of the designated search perimeter until the wreckage is fully secured.

Local fishing organizations are cooperating with the official inquiry to provide data on maritime traffic in the area today. The weather conditions were calm during the incident, ruling out environmental factors as an immediate catalyst.

The operation continues with salvage teams attempting to mark the location of the submerged vessel. This will allow for a more thorough examination of the hull once the tide retreats later tonight.

Police remain at the port awaiting the return of the rescue ships. The focus remains on securing the navigation logs to clarify why the two vessels crossed paths with such force.