Several missing as vessels capsize in China

BEIJING - Twenty-nine people were rescued and several others were missing Tuesday when the vessels in which they were traveling capsized in strong winds off the coast of Shandong province in eastern China, officials said.

Wind speeds of up to 100 km per hour battered the Chinese eastern board Tuesday, Xinhua reported quoting Xu Zengfu, deputy director of the provincial Maritime Safety Bureau.

\”We have received reports that two commercial ships and six fishing boats capsized in Yantai, Weihai and Qingdao areas,\” said Xu.

Twenty-nine people were rescued by Tuesday afternoon but several others were still missing, he added. Xu said ship owners were advised not to venture out, as the strong winds were expected to continue for next two days.

Helicopters and rescue vessels were searching for the missing people.