Tanker sinks, but flames persist on surface of the sea

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif over the phone that "China will continue to carry out 100 percent effort as long as 1 percent hope remains". 

Zarif expressed gratitude for China's efforts on rescuing the Iranian sailors, and said Iran is willing to keep close communication and cooperation with China on the matter. 

On Saturday morning, four rescuers were placed on the back of the Sanchi by a crane. They found two bodies on the deck of a lifeboat. The ship's "black box" had also been retrieved, according to the ministry release.

Thirteen vessels — 10 Chinese, two Japanese and one from South Korea — are participating in the search and rescue operation, including searching for victims, contamination control and putting out the fire.