DALIAN, Nov. 9(Xinhuanet)-- Seven bodies have been found in a cargo ship which sank on Tuesday on the Yellow Sea near Changhai County of Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Twelve people are still missing, local government said on Wednesday evening.

The cargo ship, Liaopuyun-777, suddenly overturned when being unloaded at a berth of the Haiyang Island at around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

All the 46 people aboard fell into the sea, and 27 of them were rescued.

The ferry service between Pikou Port to Haiyang Island Port was suspended for two days due to mechanical problems, prompting some passengers to take the cargo ship heading for the island, according to loaders at the Pikou Port, where the ship started sailing.

The sunken boat belongs to Shunda Shipping Company based in Pulandian, a city in Liaoning Province. It was loaded with 77.6 tons of cargo, less than the design capacity of 95 tons. Seven crew members were aboard when the accident occurred.

The Haiyang Island is a remote islet in Changhai County in eastern Dalian. About 6,000 residents live on the islet. Enditem