India’s Coast Guard and Navy are continuing search-and-rescue operations off the eastern coast after the Ocean Winner, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 24 crew members, sank roughly 240 nautical miles from Paradip port in Odisha. Two Chinese crew members have been rescued, while 22 others remain missing.
According to Reuters, the two rescued seafarers told authorities that the vessel developed a severe list before sinking within minutes, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The cause of the incident has not yet been established.
22 Crew Members Still Missing
The missing crew include 18 Chinese nationals, three citizens of Myanmar and one Bangladeshi national, according to the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel had a total crew of 24, including 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.
The two survivors were located in life rafts during the rescue operation. The Indian Navy deployed a P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft to support the search, while Coast Guard vessels were sent to conduct surface operations in the area. A nearby commercial vessel also assisted in rescuing the survivors.
Vessel Was Carrying Iron Ore
The Ocean Winner had departed from Paradip carrying iron ore and was heading toward East Asia when the incident occurred. Government and maritime authorities have said communication with the ship was lost before confirmation that it had sunk.
Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said multiple agencies were coordinating the rescue operation and that the rescued crew members were receiving medical attention.
Search Operation Remains Underway
Rescue teams continue to search the surrounding waters for survivors, although officials have acknowledged that survival chances generally decline as more time passes after a maritime accident. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard remain engaged in the operation, while authorities are also expected to examine what caused the vessel to lose stability and sink so rapidly.
The incident has drawn international attention because of the multinational crew and the scale of the ongoing rescue effort.
