Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank around 230 nautical miles from Odisha’s Paradip coast.
A commercial vessel, MT Aisopos, rescued two crew members from separate liferafts.
Three ICG ships are searching for survivors.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has intensified search and rescue operations after the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal, around 230 nautical miles from Odisha’s Paradip coast, on August 22. The vessel had 24 crew members on board, of whom two have been rescued, while the search continues for the remaining 22.
Two Crew Members Rescued
The ICG and Indian Navy launched a joint search and rescue operation after the vessel sank and alerted nearby commercial ships to assist in locating survivors.
ICG officials said commercial vessel MT Aisopos rescued two crew members from separate liferafts at around 8 pm on Saturday. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the two survivors were receiving medical care, while their identities and ranks were being verified.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) diverted MT Aisopos to assist the operation and search for the missing vessel and liferafts in the area.
Three ICG Ships Deployed
The ICG said three of its ships have been deployed to search for the remaining crew members. ICG ships Varad and Anmol are conducting surface searches, while Vijit has been dispatched from Sri Vijaya Puram to reinforce the operation.
The 24-member crew comprised 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmarese and one Bangladeshi, according to officials.
The vessel was carrying iron ore from Odisha to China. It reportedly departed Paradip Port at around 10.30 pm on August 20 with 1,700 tonnes of iron ore fines on board.
The ship was last reported to be sailing around 200 nautical miles from Paradip when communication was lost, according to sources at the Paradip Port Authority. Initial reports had described the vessel as missing before authorities confirmed that it had sunk.
The cause of the sinking has not yet been established. Search and rescue operations are continuing for the missing crew members.
(With PTI Inputs)
