The Indian Coast Guard intensified search and rescue operations for 22 crew members of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel that sank in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Paradip, with two survivors rescued from life rafts. The maritime agency has deployed three ships to conduct surface searches for the remaining crew members.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram initiated the search operation on August 22 after receiving a distress alert and subsequently losing contact with MV Ocean Winner, which was located around 230 nautical miles southeast of Paradip.
Also read: Two rescued, 22 missing after cargo ship sinks off eastern India
The vessel had 24 crew members on board, including 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.
Merchant vessel MT AISOPOS, which was diverted through the International Safety Net, rescued two survivors from life rafts, the Indian Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard has now deployed three ships to conduct surface searches for the remaining 22 crew members.
Ocean Winner was carrying iron ore to Singapore after departing Paradip port on Thursday, according to government sources. The vessel is believed to have sunk around 230-240 nautical miles from the eastern Indian port.
The cause of the sinking remains unknown.
The Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly Port Blair, is coordinating the operation. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining crew members.
