Bulk Carrier Sinks Off Odisha Coast; Two Rescued, Search On for 22
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank off India's east coast on Saturday. Two crew rescued; search continues for 22 others.
The Indian Coast Guard has launched a major search-and-rescue operation after a Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 240 nautical miles from Paradip port in Odisha.
The vessel, identified as the Ocean Winner, was carrying iron ore to Singapore after departing from Paradip on Thursday. The Coast Guard lost communication with the ship on Saturday, prompting the emergency response.
According to Coast Guard officials, the ship had 24 crew members on board — 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh. Two vessels were immediately dispatched from Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair, to the location.
In a positive development, two crew members have been rescued from life rafts so far. The search-and-rescue mission is continuing for the remaining 22 seafarers.
The cause of the sinking remains unknown at this time. Captain Alekha Charan Sahoo, deputy conservator of the Paradip Port Authority, expressed hope for the safety of the crew, saying he was praying for their well-being.
The Coast Guard has not released further details about the condition of the rescued individuals or the ongoing search efforts.