HANGZHOU - Chinese marine rescuers have saved the crew of a container vessel that caught fire after colliding with a Liberian boat in the sea off east China.

The container vessel from Hong Kong, named Safmarine Maru, and the Liberian vessel Northern Jasper collided in waters 15 nautical miles southeast of the Langgang Mountain Islets around 1 a.m. on Sunday. An ensuing fire on Safmarine Maru put the life of 22 crew members in danger.

Upon receiving the distress call, the marine search and rescue center of Zhejiang Province dispatched marine police and rescue teams to help rescue the 22 crew members.

Marine authorities have also notified boats travelling in the region to avoid further accidents.