A Chinese cargo ship collided with a South Korean ship near the port of Inchon early Monday morning, leaving three Chinese crew members dead and nine missing, a Chinese diplomatic mission in South Korea said.

The South Korean ship "Korea Gas" that collided with the Chinese vessel. [Xinhua]

The Chinese embassy sources said the Chinese vessel - Xinhai 7 - sank after the collision.

The 2,972-ton Chinese ship, which was carrying fuel materials, collided with the 3,980-ton South Korean freight ship at 20 nautical miles southwest of Inchon, South Korean second largest port city located just west to Seoul, at 4:05 am Monday. The Chinese ship sank right after the collision.

All the 17 crew members on the Chinese ship, owned by Xinbei International Shipping (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd., fell into the water. Five were rescued, while 3 were found dead and nine are still missing as of earlier Monday.

The five are Wang Xiaojian, Wang Bo, Wang Haijun, Li Hao and Xia Hailin, according to a crew list obtained by the Chinese Consulate from South Korean side.

The rescued were sent to a hospital in Incheon immediately.

Inchon Coast Guard and South Korean navy sent 18 military vessels, rescue boats and one helicopter to the scene to conduct searching and rescue operation. Meanwhile, 11 South Korean civilian ships also were mobilized to joint the operation.