(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-28 17:03

HANGZHOU -- Nine fishermen are missing after their boat sank off Taizhou City in China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday night, a provincial maritime bureau source said on Thursday.

It was the fifth boat capsize in the eastern province in a week. More than 20 people were currently missing. As of Thursday, there were no reports of survivors, according to the maritime bureau.

The trawler carrying nine people and registered in Zhejiang crashed with an unknown boat at 11:45 p.m. and sank immediately, according to the bureau.

The boat, whose last known position was 28 degrees north and 122 degrees east, set out from Zhoushan City.

The Zhejiang Provincial Maritime Rescue Center has called on 14 fishing boats to search for the missing. Another eight ships were currently making their way to the area to assist.

Investigations into the causes of the accidents have begun. The provincial maritime authorities said inadequate operating procedures, a lack of qualified crew and poor safety awareness were all factors.