Archive · 27 Aug 2026
China Joins Search for 22 Missing Ocean Winner Crew
A cargo ship called MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 22.
It was carrying iron ore from Paradip Port toward China.
There were 24 people on the ship.
Two people were rescued, but 22 are still missing.
On August 25, rescuers found an empty lifeboat.
They also found an emergency beacon that belonged to the ship.
Indian ships, aircraft and merchant vessels are searching the sea.
Two Chinese vessels have joined the search.
Investigators do not yet know why the ship sank so quickly.
MV Ocean Winner sank rapidly in the Bay of Bengal on August 22 after departing Paradip Port with iron ore cargo.
The Panama-flagged vessel had 24 crew members; two were rescued and 22 remain missing.
ICGS Varad found an empty lifeboat and recovered the ship’s emergency beacon around 7 a.m. on August 25.
Indian Coast Guard, Navy aircraft, merchant vessels and two Chinese vessels are searching about 290 nautical miles off Paradip.
The sinking’s cause remains under investigation, including whether moisture-related cargo liquefaction contributed to the vessel’s rapid list.
- Who
- The missing crew of MV Ocean Winner are being sought by the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, merchant vessels and two Chinese vessels, in coordination with maritime authorities including MRCC Beijing.
- What
- Rescuers found an empty lifeboat and emergency beacon while searching for 22 crew members missing after MV Ocean Winner sank.
- When
- The vessel sank on August 22; the lifeboat and beacon were located at about 7 a.m. on August 25.
- Where
- The search is taking place in the Bay of Bengal, about 290 nautical miles off the Paradip coast of Odisha, India.
- Why
- Authorities are searching because 22 of the vessel’s 24 crew members remain unaccounted for.
Possible cargo-related explanation
Cause remains unconfirmed
Why the ship sank rapidly
Possible cargo-related explanation
Maritime experts are examining whether moisture-related liquefaction of the iron ore fines contributed to the vessel’s sudden list and rapid sinking.
Cause remains unconfirmed
Authorities have not established the cause; reports only state that the vessel developed a sudden list and sank within minutes.
Reported ownership and assistance request
Possible cargo-related explanation
Ocean Winner Shipping Corporation Ltd has been identified in reports as the vessel’s owner.
Cause remains unconfirmed
The initial search-and-rescue assistance request was reportedly made by Victory Star Group Corporation Ltd after communication with the vessel was lost, leaving the ownership or operating arrangements unclear.
- Vessel
- MV Ocean Winner was a 28-year-old, Panama-flagged bulk carrier.
- Crew
- The vessel carried 24 crew members: 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
- Rescued and missing
- Two crew members were rescued from liferafts by MT Aisopos; 22 remain missing.
- Cargo
- Reports described the cargo as approximately 71,000 to 72,100 tonnes of iron ore or iron ore fines.
- Lifeboat discovery
- ICGS Varad located an empty MV Ocean Winner lifeboat at about 7 a.m. on August 25.
- Emergency beacon
- A naval aircraft detected a distress transmission, guiding ICGS Varad to an emergency beacon later confirmed to be associated with MV Ocean Winner.
- Search area
- Search teams are operating in waters around 290 nautical miles off Paradip.
- Port precautions
- Paradip Port began keeping vessel hatches closed during rain and halting cargo loading during rainfall.
