TOKYO - The Chinese Consulate General in Fukuoka confirmed Friday that a South Korean ship caught fire near China's Diaoyu Islands, leaving four dead and another four still missing.

Official of the consulate told Xinhua that all nine crew members, including seven South Korean nationals and two Chinese nationals, escaped by jumping into sea when the ship caught fire at around 3 am Friday morning in the waters 185 km north of Diaoyu Islands.

The Chinese consulate has checked information with the South Korean Consulate General in Fukuoka.

South Korean coast guard has rescued five people, but only a Chinese national survived and has been immediately sent to hospital.

As of now, over 10 South Korean ships are searching for the other four that still missing, including a Chinese national.