Hong Kong (CNN) At least one person is dead and two missing after an oil tanker caught fire south of one of Hong Kong's main islands.

The fire broke out aboard a vessel transporting kerosene near Lamma Island around 11:30 a.m. local time, a police spokeswoman told CNN.

Crew on board jumped into the water as the fire engulfed the ship, 23 of the 26 or so believed to be on board had now been rescued by marine police boats, the spokeswoman said. One dead body was also pulled out of the water.

The fire broke out mid-morning on Tuesday.

A government spokesman said there were three fire boats deployed to tackle the blaze. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire appeared to be largely extinguished, but the ship was listing severely.

Significant damage, including a large hole framed by metal twisted outward from the deck, could be seen on one side of the ship, appearing to confirm reports of an explosion prior to the fire.

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