(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-16 14:33

NINGBO -- Ten Chinese fishermen were feared dead after they went missing in a ship collision on the East China Sea last week, public security authorities in the eastern Zhejiang Province said on Wednesday.

Their fishing boat, which had cast anchor about 80 nautical miles east of the Yangtze River mouth, was hit by a Panamanian cargo ship carrying steel bars. It capsized at around 6 am on Friday.

All 14 people aboard the fishing boat fell into the water. Four were saved by sailors from the freighter, a spokesman with the Zhejiang provincial public security bureau said.

Zhejiang maritime authorities and the neighboring city Shanghai sent more than 30 rescue vessels and a helicopter to the salvage operation. Their efforts, however, were in vein.

The rescue operation was called off on Wednesday.