Three crew are missing after an explosion tore through a tanker off China.

The South China Morning Post said the blast hit the 6,700-dwt Xing Long Zhou 569 (built 2012) off Shidao Island in Shandong on Sunday.

Authorities rescued 13 other men.

Thick smoke was reported coming from the vessel 90 nautical miles south of the island.

The vessel is operated by Xing Long Zhou Shipping of Zhejiang.