A major search and rescue operation is underway in the Bay of Bengal after a Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying iron ore sank in international waters off the coast of Odisha on Saturday.
The vessel, MV Ocean-Winner, was reportedly located around 240 nautical miles from the Odisha coast when the incident occurred. It had departed from Paradip Port on August 20 at around 10.30 pm, bound for Singapore with approximately 1,700 tonnes of iron ore on board.
A total of 24 crew members were travelling on the ship, including 20 Chinese nationals, three citizens of Myanmar and one Bangladeshi national, according to officials.
Concerns over the vessel were raised on August 22 after communication with the ship was lost. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram received an alert at around 11.48 am, along with a request for search and rescue assistance from Victory Star Group Co Ltd, the company operating the vessel.
Following the distress alert, the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy launched a joint search and rescue operation. Coast Guard ships Varad and Anmol were deployed to the area, while another vessel, Vijit, was dispatched from Sri Vijaya Puram to strengthen the rescue effort.
The Indian Coast Guard has so far rescued two crew members who were found on life rafts. Efforts are continuing to trace the remaining personnel who were on board when the cargo ship went down.
Other vessels operating in the surrounding waters have also been alerted and requested to assist in the ongoing search operation, officials said.
Further details regarding the cause of the sinking and the condition of the remaining crew members are awaited as rescue teams continue their operation.
