A Chinese ship carrying 14 people has sunk just outside of Japanese territorial waters, reports China Daily.

A Chinese ship with the designation LURONGYU2859 sank approximately 390 kilometers north of Shimane Oki Island of the Shimane Prefecture in the Sea of Japan yesterday morning (September 30).

Five people have been rescued, while another nine are missing and unaccounted for.

China is asking Japanese authorities for help to search for the missing sailors.

According to the headquarters of Japan’s eighth District Coast Guard, the ship LURONGYU2859 sank around 8 o’clock on the morning of September 30. The coast guard is now searching for survivors.

Photo: iFeng