SHANGHAI - All 13 crew members on a cargo ship have been rescued after it ran aground off the East China Sea on Thursday, according to the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

The rescue bureau received a report about the distress at 3:29 pm Thursday, saying that the cargo ship "Ronghai 79" ran aground off the waters of Nanri island in east China's Fujian Province.

The bureau dispatched a rescue ship and helicopter to help the search and rescue operation. At 4:48 p.m., all crew members were picked up by the rescue ship.

A towing vessel will be sent to help re-float the stranded ship, the bureau said.