LOS ANGELES/MEXICO CITY - Two Chinese fishermen died and two others were injured after a boat caught fire and sank off the Mexican coast on Friday, the US David-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB) said Sunday.

While 11 fishermen aboard a raft were discovered by a Venezuelan vessel about 1,100 nautical miles off Mexico's western coast Friday afternoon, six others remained missing, according to the DMAFB.

Among the rescued people, two died of serious injuries and two were badly burned, according to a detailed report released by the DMAFB on its official website and Facebook page.

The US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received a request for help from the Venezuelan ship and rescue personnel arrived at the scene Saturday afternoon. The rescue operation continued through the early hours of Sunday.

The injured people will be sent to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and on to the La Jolla Burn Facility near San Diego in southern California, said the report. Seven others who were in good condition were transferred to a Chinese-flagged ship to return to China.

Li Shu, an official from the Chinese embassy in Mexico, confirmed on Sunday that a Chinese fishing boat caught fire and sank near the Mexican coast. He said it was not clear whether there were any casualties in the shipwreck.

The Mexican navy confirmed that the accident happened off Mexico, but could not confirm the number and nationality of people on board so far, Li said.