Two North Korean sailors have been rescued after a fire broke out on their cargo ship 31km southeast of Weihai, China, on Wednesday, according to Chinese press agency Xinhua.

The crew placed a call to the maritime search and rescue center of Weihai City at 7.30AM local time.

The center sent a rescue ship to pick the two injured sailors, who arrived on shore in the early afternoon. Chinese media reports they are both in a stable condition.

The North Korean sailors were aboard a 5600-tonne cargo ship called the Jin Long. The ship is currently holding position near China’s north-eastern