Relevant departments are still making every effort to search and rescue the four missing crew members who fell into water after their vessel collided with a bridge pier in Foshan, Guangdong province, on Tuesday morning.

The maritime accident took place on Monday night when a seagoing vessel with 11 sailors on board collided with the anti-collision pier of Jiujiang Bridge on G240 national highway, according to a statement released by maritime department on Tuesday.

Seven crew members were rescued while the rest four went missing after the accident.

The traffic police department has imposed traffic control on both directions of Jiujiang Bridge for 24 hours beginning 6 am Tuesday while the maritime department has implemented navigation control entering the water area three kilometers upstream and downstream of the Jiujiang Bridge. Passing ships are advised to make a detour.

Investigation of the case is continuing, it said.