An official reported that the coast guard of South Korea launched a search Monday following reports that nine crew were missing after a Chinese fishing boat capsized off South Korea's west coast.

A coast guard official from the city of Gunsan on the west coast of South Korea said that 11 crew members are believed to have been aboard the vessel which capsized approximately 150 km (93 miles), off the coast.

He said that four coast guard vessels, three aircraft and a rescue helicopter were deployed to search and rescue the victims.

He said that two of the eleven crew members had been saved by a vessel sailing in the vicinity. (Reporting and editing by Ed Davies.)

(source: Reuters)