Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks off Odisha coast, 2 survivors rescued, 22 missing

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 24 crew members sank in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha. Two survivors have been rescued, while the Indian Coast Guard and Navy continue searching for 22 missing crew members.

In Short

• Panama-flagged cargo ship MV Ocean Winner sank off Odisha coast
• Lost communication before sinking, carrying 24 crew members
• Joint rescue operation by Coast Guard, Navy and nearby vessels ongoing

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 24 crew members sank in the Bay of Bengal, around 240 nautical miles from Odisha's Paradip coast, on Saturday, triggering a major search-and-rescue operation by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy.

The vessel, MV Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), was carrying 20 Chinese, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi crew member, according to the ICG. Its last port of call was Paradip and its next scheduled port was Singapore.

The ICG has so far confirmed that two survivors have been rescued from two liferafts, while the search continues for the remaining 22 crew members.

COMMUNICATION LOST WITH MV OCEAN WINNER

The ICG's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram received information at 11:48 am from a company associated with the vessel about the loss of communication with MV Ocean Winner.

The company also requested search-and-rescue assistance, the ICG said.

The bulk carrier was carrying iron ore from Odisha and was bound for Singapore.

TWO SURVIVORS RESCUED

Following the alert, the MRCC diverted MT Aisopos, a commercial vessel that was operating in the vicinity, to search for MV Ocean Winner or liferafts and render assistance.

MT Aisopos recovered two survivors from two liferafts at around 8 pm, according to the ICG.

The condition of the rescued crew members was not immediately available.

THREE ICG SHIPS DEPLOYED

The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy have launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to locate the remaining crew members.

ICG ships Varad and Anmol have been deployed for the search, while Vijit has been sent from Sri Vijaya Puram to augment the operation.

Other vessels in the area are also being coordinated with as authorities continue efforts to locate survivors and liferafts.

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 22 CREW

MV Ocean Winner had 24 crew members on board when it sank — 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.

With two survivors rescued so far, the search continues for the remaining 22 crew members.

The exact circumstances that led to the sinking of the vessel have not yet been established. Further details about the ship's condition before it sank and the status of the missing crew members are awaited.

- Ends