Rescue efforts were under way in the eastern reaches of Russia, in the Sea of Okhotsk of the Kamchatka Peninsula, where a fishing vessel called Dalniy Vostok capsized, claiming at least 54 dead and 63 people rescued from the ship that carried 132 people.

Authorities launched a criminal investigation to determine whether safety was compromised, although it appears the vessel may have struck a large mass of ice.

At least 10 of the survivors were in critical condition due to hypothermia from exposure to the frigid waters of the sea, RT.com citing Russian newswire TASS.

The cause of the sinking was under investigation by local authorities, and wire service Interfax reported 26 ships were involved in the rescue mission, but helicopters were delayed by strong winds and forced to return to the city of Magadan.

Another 32 survivors were taken to nearby Andromeda vessel from Dalniyi Vostok, which translates to “Far East” in Russian.“Fishing boats are currently lining up around the Andromeda to transfer those rescued from the sea, which includes both survivors and those who have passed away,” a source told TASS, RT.com reported.

Dalniy Vostok’s 132 crew members included 78 Russians and 54 nationals from Ukraine, Latvia, Myanmar, Vanuatu.

The water temperature of “around two degrees above freezing” made finding more survivors unlikely, said Artur Rets, Chief of Maritime Rescue from the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, RT.com reported, citing TASS news agency. Rets said the engine was flooded and it likely took 15 minutes for the vessel to sink.

“Sources said that the vessel did not even send out a distress signal,” RT.com reported.