Massive Search and Rescue Operation Underway After Cargo Ship Sinks in Bay of Bengal

NEW DELHI – A desperate search and rescue mission is currently sweeping the Bay of Bengal after a Panama-flagged cargo vessel, the MV Ocean Winner, sank off India’s eastern coast late Saturday.

The ship, which was transporting a cargo of iron ore from the Paradip Port in the Indian state of Odisha to China, issued a distress alert before contact was lost. According to officials, the vessel eventually went down approximately 276 miles (444 kilometers) off the coast of Paradip.

Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that an intensive joint operation involving the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy is currently underway. Three naval ships have been deployed to scour the area for the remaining 22 missing crew members.

The vessel had been carrying a total of 24 crew members, including 20 Chinese nationals, three individuals from Myanmar, and one Bangladeshi national.

Two survivors were plucked from the water late Saturday and are currently receiving medical care. Officials are in the process of verifying the identities and ranks of the rescued personnel to better understand the final moments of the vessel.

In addition to the naval and coast guard assets, the MT Aisopos, a commercial vessel operating in the vicinity, has been diverted to assist in the search efforts. The region is currently being monitored closely as authorities grapple with the aftermath of this distress incident.

The cause of the sudden sinking remains under investigation as rescue teams face challenging conditions in the Bay of Bengal. Further updates are expected as the search continues into Sunday evening.