At least 10 sailors were killed and 16 others are missing after two Chinese ships sank off the country's eastern coast, officials said today.
Ten bodies have been recovered so far and 16 people remain missing after the ships capsized in two separate accidents off the coast in Shandong Province, they said.
The Shandong Maritime Safety Administration said that they are continuing with the rescue operations.
Authorities blamed strong gales for the accidents, state- run Xinhua news agency reported.
Seven of the dead were aboard a cargo ship, registered in Tianjin Municipality, sank off Weihai City this afternoon.
Seven people still remain missing, officials said.
Another cargo ship registered in Zhejiang Province sank offshore from Yantai City yesterday.
Three bodies have been retrieved so far, while nine others are yet to be traced.
The 88-meter-long ship, carrying stone, lost contact with marine authorities after it lost power, officials said.
