NANJING - Four people went missing after a fishing boat capsized in East China's Yellow Sea, local authorities said Sunday.

At around 9 a.m. Saturday, four crew members on board the fishing boat fell into the water 12 nautical miles off the coast of Binhai county, Jiangsu province.

Local fishermen received the signal of distress on the radio and immediately informed the fishing authority.

A total of 12 ships have been searching for the missing.

The local meteorology department issued a warning for fresh to strong gale on the sea Saturday.