The authorities of the Italian oil tanker Enrica Lexie Napolie, whose security guards shot dead two Indian fishermen on Wednesday, agreed in the early hours of Sunday to hand over by 08:00 a.m. local time two of the marines on board the vessel, reported Press Trust of India.

Kochi Police Commissioner M.R. Ajith Kumar made the announcement after visiting the ship Saturday night and spoke to the Captain and crew, said the report.

After its security guards shot dead two Indian fishermen off the coast of the southern Indian state Kerala, allegedly mistaking them for pirates, the tanker has been detained by Indian police at the southern port city of Kochi for three days.

A case of murder was registered by police two days ago and the two marines, on their surrender, would be questioned first before further action was taken, said the report quoting police sources.

A diplomatic row broke out between India and Italy after the incident took place.