GUANGZHOU, Nov, 23 (Xinhua) -- A collision between two ships in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday morning has left eight people missing, a maritime official said.

    The accident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. when a ferry with the registration No. 218 bumped into a cargo ship carrying sand on the Zhujiang River near Hedong Bridge in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

    The ferry, which was carrying 34 people, sank after the collision. The other vessel was safe, a Guangdong Maritime Affairs Bureau official surnamed Shao said.

    Rescuers saved 26 people with no injuries reported.

    The sunken vessel was located at 1:30 p.m.. Nearly 30 ships and some frogmen were still searching for the missing.

    The cause of the accident was under investigation.