A search and rescue operation is underway off India’s eastern coast after the Panama-flagged cargo ship MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal, with two of its 24 crew members rescued so far.
The distress alert and loss of contact with the vessel occurred Saturday. The two rescued crew members were undergoing medical treatment while their identities and ranks were being verified, according to India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
An Indian Navy aircraft located the crew members on August 22, as the search and rescue operation continued. The cargo ship sank approximately 276 miles from the Paradip coast of Odisha state. The vessel was carrying iron ore from Paradip Port to China.
The MV Ocean Winner carried 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi crew member. A commercial vessel, MT Aisopos, in the vicinity was tasked by the coast guard to assist in the search for survivors.