The Indian Coast Guard has initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation in the Bay of Bengal following the sinking of a cargo vessel off the coast of eastern India. The ship, identified as the MV Ocean Winner, issued a distress alert while located southeast of the port of Paradip on Saturday, shortly before communications were cut off.
Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed that the Panama-flagged vessel was transporting iron ore to China at the time of the incident. The cause of the sinking remains unknown at this stage.
Of the 24 crew members on board, two have been successfully located and pulled from life rafts. They are currently receiving medical treatment as authorities work to verify their identities and ranks. The total crew complement included 20 Chinese nationals, three individuals from Myanmar, and one Bangladeshi national.
The Indian Coast Guard has deployed three vessels to conduct surface searches for the remaining 22 crew members who are still missing. Minister Sonowal noted that various agencies are coordinating their efforts to support the rescue mission, stating on social media that his prayers are with the safety of the remaining crew.
"All agencies are coordinating closely and actively doing search and rescue efforts. 2 survivors have been successfully rescued and are being given medical care; their rank and identity are currently being verified," he wrote in a post on X.
