Divers have so far recovered three bodies of 16 missing crewmembers of a South Korean vessel that sank after colliding with a Chinese operated container ship on May 12, according to the Ministry of Communications.

One body was identified on Tuesday as the ship's captain.

Bad weather hampered further search and rescue work yesterday, a ministry official said.

The Golden Rose sank off east China's coast after colliding in heavy fog with the St Vincent-registered Jinsheng, operated by Shandong Lufeng Shipping Company Ltd.

Eight crewmembers of the Golden Rose are South Koreans, seven are from Myanmar and one from Indonesia.

Jinsheng was not damaged and sailed into port safely.

Shortly after receiving a report of the accident, China sent rescue ships and helicopters to the scene. About 900 Chinese ships and 13 aircraft took part in the mission. Thirty divers are still at the scene, hampered by high winds and rough seas for the past three days.

Three abandoned life rafts of the vessel have been found, indicating there are no survivors.

Minister of Communications Li Shengli has asked rescue teams to continue the search.

He also called for an investigation into the collision be held as soon as possible.

(China Daily May 24, 2007)