Seven stranded fishermen were rescued by coast guards from a capsized boat off an island in the Philippines.

The trawlers were out fishing when their wooden boat was battered by strong wind and waves off Calandagan Town in Palawan province on January 25.

The vessel capsized, but the men managed to swim and sit on top of the overturned boat to wait for rescue.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) launched a search when worried relatives reported that the fishermen had failed to return to their homes that night.

They found the distressed villagers the next morning straddling the capsized vessel near the town of Roxas. Officers pulled them onboard the BRP Melchora Aquino rescue ship and administered first aid for minor injuries.

In a statement, the PCG said: 'The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued the seven passengers of a capsized motorbanca in the vicinity waters off Isla Verde, Roxas, Palawan at around 12:15PM today, 26 January 2024.

'The PCG's BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) led the search and rescue (SAR) operation.

'Coast Guard personnel provided immediate medical assistance to those rescued individuals with injuries.'

The trawlers were then transported to Puerto Princesa City, where local officials helped them return home to their families.