FUZHOU - Three people died and six others are missing after two ships collided off the coast of east China's Fujian province early Saturday, said the provincial maritime authority.

The accident happened at about 5:30 am, when two cargo ships collided. A total of 13 people fell into the water. As of 1 pm, rescuers have pulled out four people, and found three bodies. They are still searching for the remaining six.

The two ships, "Andasheng" and "Xindongyuan", belonged to companies from north China's Hebei province and east China's Anhui province, respectively. "Xindongyuan" sank in the accident.