At least nine people were missing after a barge capsized in Singapore waters at about 1pm on Wednesday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a statement.

One crew member of the barge, Guo Liang 677, was rescued by a Police Coast Guard patrol craft in the waters about 7 nautical miles north of Horsburgh Lighthouse. The crew member reported that 10 other persons were missing.

Subsequently, the MPA was informed that another crew member had been rescued by a vessel in the vicinity.

MPA is co-ordinating the search and rescue operations. It has also activated commercial divers to assist with the operations.

MPA has issued navigational broadcasts to vessels in the vicinity to keep clear of the area and to report any sightings of the missing persons.