TAIPEI -- Four divers, who went missing in an oceanic research mission in the waters of Penghu, have been rescued by a mainland fishing ship, Taiwan's academy of marine research said on Thursday.

The four divers, including a research assistant and three technicians, were carrying out an underwater research program in the waters of the Penghu archipelago on Thursday, the academy said in a press release.

They dived down at around 10:30 am and did not come to the surface as scheduled, the statement said, adding that the captain of the boat they took informed the coast guard after a short search in the nearby waters.

The academy said that it received a notice at around 4:44 pm that the missing persons have been safely rescued by a mainland fishing ship and shipped back by a Taiwan fishing vessel.