Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off Odisha, Rescue Operation Underway
A cargo ship called MV Ocean-Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal near Odisha.
It was registered in Panama and was traveling from Paradip to Singapore.
The ship was carrying iron ore from Odisha.
There were 24 people on board, most of whom were reportedly Chinese.
One report said that two crew members had been rescued.
However, an officer said officials were not yet sure how many people were safe.
Indian rescue teams and nearby ships are searching for the crew.
Officials have not explained why the ship sank.
The Panama-flagged MV Ocean-Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal about 240 nautical miles from Odisha’s Paradip coast.
The vessel had left Odisha on Friday, August 21, bound for Singapore with iron ore loaded in Odisha.
There were 24 crew members aboard, most reportedly Chinese; one report listed 20 Chinese, three Myanmar and one Bangladeshi national.
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy launched a joint search-and-rescue operation and alerted nearby vessels.
Two crew members were reportedly rescued, but an officer said the total number rescued remained unconfirmed and the cause was unknown.
- Who
- The Panama-flagged MV Ocean-Winner, its 24 crew members, the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.
- What
- A cargo ship sank, prompting a search-and-rescue operation.
- When
- Saturday, August 22, 2026; the vessel had left Odisha on Friday, August 21.
- Where
- The Bay of Bengal, about 240 nautical miles, or nearly 444 kilometers, from Odisha’s Paradip coast.
- Why
- The cause of the sinking was not immediately known; rescue efforts were launched because the crew’s status was uncertain.
Initial Rescue Report
Official Qualification
Number of crew members rescued
Initial Rescue Report
A report said that two crew members had been rescued while efforts continued to locate the others.
Official Qualification
A senior IPS officer told PTI that officials were not sure how many crew members had been rescued.
- Vessel
- MV Ocean-Winner
- Flag
- Panama
- Crew
- 24 people
- Reported nationalities
- One report identified 20 Chinese, three Myanmar and one Bangladeshi crew member
- Cargo
- Iron ore loaded in Odisha
- Destination
- Singapore
- Location
- Approximately 240 nautical miles, or nearly 444 kilometers, from Paradip
- Rescue status
- Two crew members were reportedly rescued, but the overall number rescued was unconfirmed
Sources
Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks 240 Nautical Miles Off Odisha Coast
Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal off Odisha, 24 crew members aboard - Telegraph India
Panama-Flagged Ship Sinks Off Odisha's Paradip Coast; Indian Navy, Coast Guard Launch Rescue Op
Panama-flagged ship with 24 crew members sinks off Odisha coast
Panama-flagged cargo ship with mostly Chinese crew sinks off Odisha's Paradip coast
Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship with 24 on Board Sinks off Odisha Coast
