The Panama-flagged MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday with 24 crew members aboard. Two have been rescued while search operations continue for the remaining 22.
A cargo vessel operating under a Panama flag went down in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, prompting an urgent search and rescue mission in the region. The MV Ocean Winner lost contact with authorities at approximately 240 nautical miles from India's Odisha coast near Paradip. Of the 24 crew members aboard, two have been successfully recovered from separate life rafts, but 22 others remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts intensify.
The vessel's crew composition included 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi worker. The Ocean Winner had set sail from Paradip on August 20 with a cargo of iron ore destined for Singapore when the incident occurred. The circumstances that led to the ship's sinking remain unclear, with investigations ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Indian maritime authorities have mobilized resources to assist in the operation. Both the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy have deployed vessels to the affected area, while nearby commercial shipping has been alerted to participate in locating the missing crew members. The multi-national response reflects the coordinated efforts underway to address the maritime emergency in one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
