CHANGSHA -- Two people have died and a number of others remain missing after a passenger boat collided with an oil waste recovery vessel in Central China's Hunan province on Tuesday morning, local authorities said.

The incident occurred around 10 am on the Yuanshui River in Qinglang township, Yuanling county. A preliminary estimate indicated that 12 people were believed to have been aboard the passenger boat at the time of the crash, according to county officials.

Rescue workers have rescued three survivors, with all three hospitalized in stable condition. Two people have been confirmed dead, while search efforts continue for those still missing.