HANGZHOU, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) - Eight people are missing after a boat sank in the sea near east China's Zhejiang Province Sunday night, local authorities have said.

(Photo: VCG)

According to the provincial maritime search and rescue center, a fishing boat sank about 70 sea miles northeast of Xiangshan County. The eight people onboard were still missing as of 2 p.m. Monday.

The maritime search and rescue center initiated an emergency response immediately after receiving the report at about 2 a.m. and dispatched five boats and a helicopter to search for the missing. Over 20 nearby fishing boats also joined the rescue.