2 rescued off India’s eastern coast after distress alert from Panama-flagged cargo ship

A search and rescue operation is currently underway off India's eastern coast following a distress alert and the loss of contact with a Panama-flagged cargo ship, the MV Ocean Winner. The vessel, carrying 24 crew members, sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, approximately 276 miles from Paradip coast in eastern Odisha state.

Two crew members from the ship were successfully rescued late Saturday, while three ships were deployed for a surface search to locate the remaining individuals. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are collaborating on the operation. The rescued crew members are currently receiving medical treatment, with their identities still being verified, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The cargo ship was transporting 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi crew member. The MT Aisopos, a nearby commercial vessel, was tasked with assisting in the search for the distressed ship. The MV Ocean Winner was en route from Paradip Port in India to China, carrying iron ore, as confirmed by Sonowal in a recent post on social media platform X.