China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said Wednesday it had started monitoring offshore waters in southern Guangdong Province, where a cargo vessel carrying sulfuric acid and fuel oil sank Tuesday.

The SOA's South China Sea Branch sent inspectors to waters adjacent to Zhelang Island immediately after receiving a report that Kenos Athena, a vessel from the Republic of Korea loaded with 7,000 tonnes of sulfuric acid and 140 tonnes of residual fuel oil, was wrecked there, according to a statement posted on the administration's website.

The statement didn't reveal further details on the shipwreck.

The administration is "currently analyzing the seawater sample and will publicize the results in a timely manner," it said, adding that a maritime-monitoring plane had also been sent to the site on Wednesday to assist the monitoring.

The SOA has also urged its South China Sea Branch as well as Guangdong's Administration of Ocean and Fisheries to keep a close eye on the follow-up of the shipwreck, and to disclose relevant information to the public in a timely fashion.

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