The ship broke into two pieces during a typhoon in the South China Sea. More than 24 crew members of the ship went missing at the time.

They have not yet found, officials said Saturday.

Authorities sent planes and helicopters to help with the rescue operation.

At 5.30pm local time, at least three of the 30 crew members  brought to safety.

Pictures released by the Hong Kong Government Flying Service show large waves crashing over

the sinking ship and a crew taken to a rescue helicopter.

Authorities say the ship was 298 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong.

It suffered substantial damage and has  torn in two. Thirty crew members left the ship.

The Flying Service did not name the ship or its country.

The three crew members rescued from the ship said other crew members may have caught in the waves

before the first rescue helicopter arrived, the official statement said.