Seven people are missing after a fishing vessel collided with a cargo ship in the sea near Keelung Islet, Taiwan, in the early hours of Saturday, said an official with the Taiwan Affairs Office of east China's Fujian Province.

A cargo ship, registered in Singapore, collided with a fishing boat, which was carrying 71 people - two from Taiwan and 69 from the mainland, said the official.

All the fishermen plunged into the sea but 64 people were later rescued. The seven missing people were confirmed to be residents on the mainland.

The rescue operation is ongoing.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2008)