Twenty-one sailors from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were rescued by Chinese vessels after their cargo ship slanted due to water entering its cabins off the coast of east China's Shandong Province.

The DPRK ship, "Zo Ming 3", leaned Friday afternoon at the sea about 20 nautical miles north of Weihai port after seawater entered two cargo cabins, according to the Weihai Maritime Bureau.

The bureau said it received a directive from the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center around 4:50 p.m. saying the DPRK vessel was leaning sharply and in danger of sinking and rescue operation should be immediately launched.

A maritime police vessel rushed to the site to carry out rescue operation. The bureau also organized vessels passing by to join the rescue.

The 21 sailors were rescued by four fishing boats from Liaoning Province around 5:30 p.m. and then transferred to the maritime police vessel.

The sailors were transported to Weihai port at 11:20 p.m. Friday and provided with food and accommodation by local government. Their empty vessel was halted from sinking and is being pulled to the Weihai port.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2007)