A 20-meter-long boat sunk in seawaters near East Ping Chau in northeast of Hong Kong Saturday morning, leaving one killed and one missing, a government source confirmed.

A government spokeswoman said in a telephone interview with Xinhua that call for help was received at about 5:30 AM Saturday.

According to sources from Hong Kong Marine Rescue Coordination Center, seven vessels together with a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft rushed to the scene of the boat for seeking for the two crew members of the boat.

A 51-year-old crew member had been found in coma by the rescue team and was rushed to a hospital nearby. However, the man was later confirmed dead in the hospital.

A vessel from Shenzhen has also joined the rescue work at the request of the Hong Kong Marine Rescue Coordination Center.

Rescue work is continuing for the missing crew member.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2005)