Eight people including several Chinese nationals have died after a cargo ship sank in Japan's waters, reports BBC News, quoting Chinese authorities.

Rescue workers have been searching for survivors since the Jin Tian went down on the evening of January 24.
Multiple vessels and aircraft from Japan's coast guard and military, South Korea's coast guard, and private ships have been involved in the search.

Five people who have been rescued are said to be in a stable condition.

The Jin Tian, a Hong-Kong-registered general cargo ship built in 2010, had a crew of 22 people. Six of the dead were Chinese nationals, according to Lu Guijun, China's consul general in the Japanese city of Fukuoka.

Japanese authorities are yet to confirm the death toll given by Mr Lu, but have said that nine people remain missing. No reason has been given so far for the ship's sinking.