The M/V Jinshan developed problems and sank late Sunday off the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte, coast guard spokesman Lt Cmdr. Armand Balilo said. Chinese authorities asked for help from the Philippines, which sent a helicopter to the area, he said.

A Japanese tanker in the South China Sea later rescued 26 of the vessel's crew, but two others were still missing, he said.

The area is about 440 kilometers north of Manila. -- AFP, AP