Several people were killed when the Spanish fishing vessel sank on Monday night off the coast of Canada, Faro de Vigo reported.

It is specified that the vessel overturned in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) area. There were about 24 crew members on board: 18 Spanish nationals, as well as Peruvian and Ghanaian nationals.

Rescuers found four life rafts next to the wreck. Two of them were found to be empty, one was carrying three survivors in hypothermic shock.

The incident happened about 250 miles (402.3km) off the coast. Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said kingdom authorities were monitoring the search and rescue operation.