Three people died and four others were missing as of late Thursday after their fishing boat sank in waters off southeast China's Fujian Province, rescuers said.

A boat shipping abalone sank Thursday morning in waters off Pingtan County in Fujian Province. Seven out of the 14 crew members had been rescued as of 11 p.m. Three were confirmed dead.

Rescuers onboard boats and helicopters are still searching for th]e missing.