Tian Deshun, captain of a cargo ship that capsized off east China's Shandong Province early on Wednesday, was detained for illegally carrying passengers, local sources said.

Two crew members were also detained on the same charge, the sources said.

Tian is a fisherman from Beicun village, Daqin island, Changdao county, where the ship was bound.

Further details are not available, since the investigation is yet to be launched.

The ship, which was registered in Shandong as No. 926, capsized at about 6:30 a.m. about one nautical mile from the coast of Penglai, a small city in Yantai, where it had begun its journey. The voyage between Penglai and Changdao normally takes about 40 minutes.

Seven people were rescued. They were in good condition and have already left the hospital.

Eleven ships and one helicopter are still seeking anyone missing from the ship, but the total number of those who were onboard remains unknown.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Local people said that there were high winds at sea when the accident occurred.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2007)