Taiwan coast guard officials are searching for at least seven crewmen who are missing in stormy weather after a cargo ship broke in two off the island's northern coast.

Search crews rescued 11 sailors and recovered three bodies after the Panamanian-registered gravel ship ran aground early Monday off Keelung Harbor. Authorities questioned some of the rescued men as they were brought ashore and transferred to hospitals.

Taiwan's official Central News Agency says the ship had just set out in harsh weather to pick up a cargo of gravel in China. The news agency said the ship's crew consisted of nine Indonesians, eight Burmese and four Taiwan citizens. The Taiwan nationals all are among the missing.