A laden oil tanker thought to be on its way from Japan to Singapore, has run aground in a storm off the southern Taiwanese coast.

The Colombo Queen is aground in the Jialeshuei area off the Pingtung County coast, according to local reports.

Taiwan's National Rescue Command Centre said the tanker was carrying 39,000 litres of fuel oil. The ship first sent out distress calls on Saturday night.

According to Taiwan News, rescue helicopters were unable to fly from Kaohsiung and Pingtung due to the weather, but the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) in the eastern county of Taitung was able to send a patrol boat.

The CGA rescued all nine crew members, who had abandoned the tanker and were a life raft.

Pingtung County officials are reported to be worried about any spillage from the tanker, saying it could be "disastrous". In January 2001 the Greek bulk carrier Amorgos ran aground off Pingtung's Kenting National Park, spilling some 1,150 tonnes of fuel oil.