HONG KONG - Eleven crewmen went missing after two vessels collided near the waters of Hong Kong's Po Toi Island Monday morning, local maritime authorities said.

A Chinese mainland cargo ship sank after colliding with another cargo ship at around 2:30 am local time. Twelve crewmen fell into the sea and one of them, a 47-year-old mainland man, was later picked up by a passing fishing boat, according to the Hong Kong Maritime Department.

The Chinese ship, Zhong Xing 2, was carrying cement from Hebei province from Haikou in Hainan province when it collided with the 300-meter Marshall Islands-registered container ship, MOL Motivator, which was leaving Hong Kong for Guangdong.

Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Center is assisting with the search and rescue operation coordinated by the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Center. Five Marine Police launches, three fireboats and a Government Flying Service helicopter from Hong Kong are involved in the operation.

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