HANGZHOU, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The chances of finding the four missing sailors in a boat collision on Wednesday in the East China Sea were slim, said rescuers Thursday.

    One sailor died, three were rescued and four were missing after their fishing boat sank in a collision with a cargo at about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, said Zhan Yi with Wenling Municipal Public Security Bureau.

    The four missing sailors, Zhu Yingen, 40, Lin Genfu, 54, Liu Chunyou, 55 and Chen Qiwen, 54, were unlikely to survive given thecold weather, said Guo Wenbiao, a rescuer.

    Eight people were on the Zhejiang-registered "Zhelingyu 4238" which collided with the vessel "Junrong 9" off the coast of Wenling city, Zhejiang Province.

    Rescuers are still searching for the four sailors. Police are investigating the cause of the incident.