Survival chances are slim for the 11 missing people after a boat sank off the coast in northeast China's Liaoning Province, a local maritime official said Sunday.

"Survival chances for the 11 missing people are slim 60 hours after the boat sank," said Xu Hongbin, head of the marine search and rescue center in Huludao City.

The boat was a sand carrier, coded Haida No. 8 and from Wuhan, capital of the central Hubei Province. It capsized Thursday night.

Xu said strong wind, high waves and improper operation might have led to the boat's sinking.

There were 11 men and one woman on board. One body was found Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2009)