Archive · 24 Aug 2026
MV Ocean Winner Sinks Off Odisha; Two Crew Rescued
A cargo ship called MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal near Odisha.
It was carrying iron ore and had 24 people on board.
The crew included people from China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Another ship called MT Aisopos found two people in separate liferafts and rescued them.
Indian Coast Guard ships and an Indian Navy aircraft joined the search.
Other ships nearby were also asked to help.
Officials were still looking for the other 22 crew members.
They had not yet explained why the ship sank or given details about the rescued crew members.
Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal about 240 nautical miles off Odisha.
The vessel carried about 1,700 tonnes of iron ore and 24 crew members: 20 Chinese, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.
MT Aisopos rescued two crew members from separate liferafts at about 8 p.m. on August 22.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy deployed ships and an aircraft while nearby vessels were asked to assist.
Search operations for the remaining 22 crew members continued, while the cause of the sinking remained unknown.
- Who
- MV Ocean Winner’s 24-person crew, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy personnel, MT Aisopos and nearby commercial vessels.
- What
- The Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank, and two crew members were rescued from separate liferafts.
- When
- The vessel sank on Saturday, August 22; contact was lost at 11:48 a.m., and the two survivors were rescued at about 8 p.m.
- Where
- In the Bay of Bengal, approximately 240 nautical miles off Paradip on Odisha’s coast; its last reported position was also described as about 310 nautical miles from the northern Andaman Islands.
- Why
- The vessel lost communication before sinking, but authorities had not determined the cause.
China-Bound Account
Singapore-Bound Account
Reported destination
China-Bound Account
One report said the vessel was carrying iron ore from Paradip to China.
Singapore-Bound Account
Several other reports said Singapore was the vessel’s destination or next port of call, with one report citing an estimated arrival date of August 27.
Initial rescue information
China-Bound Account
Later Indian Navy and Coast Guard accounts said MT Aisopos had rescued two crew members from two liferafts.
Singapore-Bound Account
An IPS officer initially told PTI that authorities were not sure how many crew members had been rescued.
- Vessel
- MV Ocean Winner, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier
- Cargo
- About 1,700 tonnes of iron ore from Odisha
- Crew
- 24 people: 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh
- Rescued
- Two crew members recovered from two separate liferafts by MT Aisopos
- Search forces
- Indian Coast Guard ships ICGS Varad, ICGS Anmol and ICGS Vijit, supported by the Indian Navy
- Alert time
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram received the loss-of-contact alert at 11:48 a.m. on August 22
- Search status
- The remaining 22 crew members were still being sought, with nearby vessels also requested to help
Sources
Cargo vessel with 20 Chinese crew sinks near Odisha; Coast Guard deploys 3 ships for rescue ops
Cargo ship sinks off Odisha coast
Cargo vessel sinks off Paradip coast with 24 crew onboard, rescue operation underway
Cargo ship with 24 crew members sinks in Bay of Bengal
Panama-flagged vessel with 20 Chinese nationals sinks off India's east coast; rescue ops underway
