One fisherman died and four others are missing after their boat sank in the early hours on Friday off the coast of east China's Zhejiang Province, said rescuers.

The boat carrying 10 fishermen suddenly sank as it was anchoring in the sea near Wenling, Taizhou City, said the local maritime bureau.

All 10 people fell into the water. As of Saturday morning, six of them had been rescued, and one had died.

Three of those rescued were sent to a hospital for treatment.

The search for the remaining four fishermen continues.

The cause of the boat's collapse is under investigation.