Seoul (AP): Rescuers have found three bodies in the search for 17 missing sailors from a South Korean freighter that capsized off Macau's coast, a coast guard official said on Monday.

One victim was identified as a South Korean and his family members have confirmed his identity, said Kim Un-ho, a Coast Guard official handling the issue with Chinese maritime authorities. Efforts were under way to identify the two others, Kim said.

He said Chinese fishermen found the bodies on Friday.

The ship, Zeus, capsized last Wednesday about 60 km southwest of Macau with a crew of 17 on board. There were no survivors.

The crew included eight South Koreans, eight citizens of Myanmar and one Indonesian. The ship had departed Vietnam on Sept. 21 bound for the South Korean port of Masan but disappeared after sending distress signals, officials said.

A team of South Korean officials were in Macau to help identify the bodies and hold talks with Chinese officials on how to handle the aftermath of the accident, Kim said.

Kim said Chinese maritime authorities initially believed nine bodies had been found — a mistake he blamed on miscommunication among the fishermen.

Rough seas in the area could prevent Chinese authorities from resuming the search operation Monday, Kim said.