Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Two Rescued as MV Ocean Winner Sinks off Odisha
A ship called MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal near Odisha.
It had 24 crew members from China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Another ship, MT Aisopos, found and rescued two people from liferafts.
The other 22 crew members were still missing when the reports were published.
Indian Coast Guard and Navy ships searched the area.
A Navy P-8I aircraft also helped look for survivors.
The ship had been carrying iron ore from Odisha.
Most reports said it was going to Singapore, but one report said it was going to China.
The reason the ship sank had not been confirmed.
MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 22, about 230–240 nautical miles from Paradip, Odisha.
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier had 24 crew members: 20 Chinese, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.
MT Aisopos rescued two survivors from separate liferafts at about 8 p.m.; the remaining 22 crew members were still being sought.
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy deployed ships including Varad, Anmol and Vijit, while a P-8I aircraft joined the search.
Reports differed over the vessel’s destination, cargo quantity and last known position, while the cause of the sinking remained unclear.
- Who
- The 24 crew members of MV Ocean Winner, the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Navy, the Eastern Naval Command, MT Aisopos and other nearby vessels.
- What
- The Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank; two crew members were rescued and a search continued for 22 others.
- When
- The vessel sank on August 22. Communication was reported lost at 11:48 a.m., and the two survivors were rescued at about 8 p.m.
- Where
- The Bay of Bengal, approximately 230–240 nautical miles from Paradip on Odisha’s coast. One report placed the last known position near East Island Light, about 310 nautical miles away.
- Why
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre began the response after communication with the vessel was lost and a request for search-and-rescue assistance was received. The cause of the sinking remained unclear.
Coast Guard and most reports
Differing official and media accounts
Destination
Coast Guard and most reports
Indian Coast Guard-related reports said Paradip was the last port of call and Singapore was the next port of call.
Differing official and media accounts
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the vessel was carrying iron ore from Paradip Port to China.
Cargo quantity
Coast Guard and most reports
One report said the ship carried nearly 1,700 tonnes of iron ore loaded in Odisha.
Differing official and media accounts
Another account said it carried 72,100 metric tonnes of iron ore fines.
Incident location
Coast Guard and most reports
Several reports placed the sinking about 230–240 nautical miles from Paradip.
Differing official and media accounts
One report placed the last known position near 317 East Island Light, about 310 nautical miles away; another cited a distress alert roughly 378 nautical miles east of Visakhapatnam.
- Vessel
- MV Ocean Winner, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier; IMO 9145530
- Crew
- 24 people: 20 Chinese, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh
- Incident date
- August 22
- Reported location
- Bay of Bengal, about 230–240 nautical miles from Paradip, Odisha
- Communication loss
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram received information at 11:48 a.m.
- Rescue
- MT Aisopos rescued two survivors from two separate liferafts at about 8 p.m.
- Search response
- Indian Coast Guard ships Varad, Anmol and Vijit joined Navy, aircraft and nearby vessels in the search
- Cargo and route
- Reports described iron ore from Odisha; most cited Singapore as the destination, while another account cited China and 72,100 metric tonnes of iron ore fines
Sources
Search continues to trace 22 crew members after Panama-flagged vessel sinks in Bay of Bengal
2 Rescued Off Bay of Bengal as Indian Coast Guard Leads Search Op
22 missing after China-bound vessel sinks off Odisha coast
2 of 24 sailors rescued after ship carrying iron ore from Odisha to Singapore sinks in Bay
Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks off Odisha coast: 2 crew rescued, search underway for 22 missing
ICG Deploys Ships After Panama-Flagged Vessel Sinks off Odisha Coast
