TOKYO - All 64 Chinese crew members on a cargo ship were rescued after their boat caught fire Saturday evening near sea off Japan's Okinawa, said an official from the Chinese Embassy in Japan on Sunday.

Smoke was at first spotted at the stern of the cargo ship Saturday night, according to the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.

The Japan coast guard has dispatched aircraft and patrol vessels Saturday night after it was informed of the fire. All Chinese crew were rescued early Sunday morning, of which three were slightly injured, Kyodo News reported.