In this file photo dated April 21, 2018, rescuers search the site of a boat accident on Taohuajiang River in Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

DALIAN — Four people have been confirmed dead and three others are still missing on a sea angling trip in waters near the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian, the local rescue center said Monday.

Dalian maritime search and rescue center received a report at 11 pm Sunday that a boat with seven people on board was missing in waters near Dalian, Liaoning province.

As of 10:10 am Monday, four people had been found dead, and three others were still missing

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The center dispatched rescue vessels and asked nearby ships to join the search. As of 10:10 am Monday, four people had been found dead, and three others were still missing.

A preliminary investigation confirms that the seven people had registered the sea angling trip with the local maritime authorities and the boat was privately owned.

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The search and rescue operation is ongoing and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.