At least six people were confirmed dead and 25 others wounded after a crane overturned at a shipyard in southeastern South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.

A tower crane and a goliath crane collided with each other at a shipyard belonging to Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the country's top three shipbuilders, in the southeastern port city of Geoje at about 2:50 p.m. local time (0550 GMT), according to firefighting officials.

With the collision, heavy structures carried by the cranes fell over people working at the shipyard, taking five workers lives and severely injuring six others. Twelve people sustained minor injuries. The number of deaths is expected to increase.

Those injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Police and firefighters are searching the site to find any further casualties who may be buried.