A cargo ship sank off the coast of Xiaolongshan Island in Lushun, Liaoning Province on Sunday, leaving one crewmember confirmed dead and 15 others missing.

The ship Shenhai No.1 from Shanghai Yingchuan Shipping Co Ltd. took on water during its return trip carrying a load of rolling steel. Liaoning Marine Rescue Center received the SOS message on the morning of October 28, but lost contact with the crew at around 9:30 AM.

The center sent helicopters to the area for emergency rescue, and they located one deceased crewmember's body on the morning of October 29. As of 8:30 PM all the lifeboats have been located, but there were no signs of the remaining 15 people on board at the time of the accident.

"It would be difficult for crewmembers to survive 30 hours in such harsh weather conditions," said a rescue worker to Shanghai Morning Post.

On the morning of the accident, sea winds near Lushun gusted up to 20.6 kilometer per hour, creating waves four meters high. "It was dangerous for the 2,968-ton ship to proceed in such weather," said the rescuer.

(China.org.cn by Wu Jin October 30, 2007)