HANGZHOU - Nine people are still missing after their boat lost contact off the coast of East China's Zhejiang province Tuesday night, local authorities said Wednesday.

Police in Xiangshan County of Ningbo City received a call at about 1 am Wednesday saying they lost contact with a boat carrying 11 people in the waters northeast of Tantoushan Island at about 10:30 pm Tuesday.

Authorities have organized a search and rescue operation, already rescuing two crew members.

Rescuers are still trying to locate the ship and the remaining nine people.

An investigation into the cause of the maritime accident is underway.