A yacht sank at sea waters near Taipei county of Taiwan, killing four people on board on Sunday, Hong Kong media reported.

The local marine rescue department sent three patrolling vessels to the scene of the accident and found four bodies. Three bodies have been carried to a hospital nearby and the other one is still being salvaged.

The yacht did not return on time in the afternoon after more than three hours sailing. Its company tried to telephone it, but could not get through, so it called the emergency line immediately.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)