A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying iron ore has sunk in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast, leaving 22 of its 24 crew members missing. Two crew members have been rescued as Indian maritime authorities continue a major search-and-rescue operation.
The vessel, MV Ocean Winner, sank around 240 nautical miles from Paradip on August 22. It had departed Paradip Port on August 20 carrying iron ore and was bound for Singapore. The 24-member crew comprised 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received information about the loss of communication with the vessel and activated India’s search-and-rescue network. Nearby merchant vessel MT Aisopos was diverted to the area and rescued two survivors from separate liferafts at around 8 p.m.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed multiple vessels for the ongoing search. Coast Guard ships Varad, Anmol and Vijit are involved in the operation, while other merchant vessels in the area have also been alerted to assist in locating survivors and liferafts.
The circumstances surrounding the sinking remain unclear. Authorities have not yet established what caused the vessel to lose communication and subsequently sink, and investigations are expected to follow once the immediate search-and-rescue operation is completed.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by bulk carriers operating in the Bay of Bengal, particularly during periods of potentially difficult sea conditions. Rescue teams remain focused on locating the 22 missing crew members and bringing them to safety.