A sand carrier vessel capsized off Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday. PCG-Southern Tagalog

MANILA — Rescuers on Wednesday continued searching for 10 crew members who remained missing after a sand carrier vessel capsized in the waters off Rizal, Occidental Mindoro.

The missing crew members of MV Hong Hai 16 included 7 Filipinos and 3 Chinese. They could have been trapped in the engine room of the ship that remained "upright but partially submerged", the Philippine Coast Guard said. 

The PCG said it was checking underwater conditions and preparing for diving operations and cutting work. 

The ship had a total 25 crew members when it capsized "under moderate sea conditions" on Tuesday afternoon, the PCG noted.

It confirmed that a Chinese national died in the incident. 

Fourteen others were rescued, including 6 Filipinos and 8 Chinese.  

MV Hong Hai 16 is operated by Keen Peak Corp, according to initial reports. 

The coast guard set up oil spill containment booms around the ship.

Mary Jolence Soriano, head of the Rizal Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, earlier said authorities were unaware of the ship’s arrival before residents reported spotting it.