GUANGZHOU - Seven people were reported missing after their boat sank off the coast of South China's Guangdong province Friday evening, local rescue services said on Saturday.

The maritime safety agency in Zhanjiang City is trying to find the missing crew.

The boat Hongxiang 538 filed rescue signal to a nearby boat and before the signal loss, the crew said they were ready to jump on a life raft, according to the safety agency.

Rescue teams comprising of ships and aircraft have been searching for the missing crew. But no one has been found yet.

A gale blowing over the waters where the boat sank is making it more difficult to find the seven people, the safety agency said.