One fisherman was confirmed dead and 16 others were still missing after two boats capsized Wednesday night at sea off Lianyungang city in east China's Jiangsu Province, local maritime bureau said Friday.

Rescuers discovered the body of the fisherman Friday afternoon, and were still searching for the missing people, although their chances of survival were slim, according to Lianyungang's sea search and rescue center.

Of the 17, seven are from Anhui Province and the others from Sheyang County, Jiangsu.

At around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, a boat registered in Jiangsu capsized because of strong gale and high tide about 200 sea miles from Lianyungang, throwing 12 fishermen on board into the water.

The other boat, with 11 people on board and in the same fleet, capsized as it attempted to save them.

By Thursday noon, of the 23 fishermen, six have been rescued by a nearby fishing boat.