Desperate Search Underway: Indian Navy and Coast Guard Race to Find 22 Missing Sailors After Cargo Ship Sinks

BAY OF BENGAL – A massive search-and-rescue operation is currently underway in the Bay of Bengal following the sinking of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel, leaving 22 seafarers missing and prompting an urgent multinational response.

The vessel, identified as the MV Ocean Winner, went down on Friday, approximately 444 kilometers off the coast of Paradip in the Indian state of Odisha. The ship, which was transporting a heavy cargo of 71,000 metric tonnes of iron ore, reportedly developed a severe list before sinking rapidly within just eight minutes, forcing the crew to abandon ship in open waters.

Shyam Jagannathan, the Director General of India’s Maritime Administration, confirmed that the vessel had departed from the Paradip port shortly before the tragedy occurred. While rescuers successfully plucked two Chinese nationals from the water late Saturday, the fate of the remaining 22 crew members—comprising 18 Chinese, three Myanmar, and one Bangladeshi national—remains unknown.

The Indian Coast Guard has mobilized two dedicated vessels from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) to lead the search efforts. Additionally, authorities have diverted the MT Aisopos, a commercial vessel operating in the vicinity, to assist in the surface search for any signs of survivors.

Despite the gravity of the situation, officials remain focused on the mission. Mr. Jagannathan acknowledged the grim reality of maritime accidents, noting that the probability of locating survivors typically drops significantly after the 12-hour mark. Nevertheless, he emphasized that "rescuers are continuing the search."

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, addressed the incident on social media, assuring the public that all relevant agencies are coordinating closely to manage the crisis.

"Two survivors have been successfully rescued and are being given medical care; their rank and identity are currently being verified," Minister Sonowal stated. "My prayers for the safety of the remaining crew."

As the search for the missing sailors continues, the maritime community remains in a state of alert. The rapid disappearance of the MV Ocean Winner has raised immediate questions regarding the cause of the sudden instability that led to the ship’s fatal list. For ongoing updates on this developing search-and-rescue operation, authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation into the sinking proceeds.