2 Chinese survivors from vessel that sank off Odisha coast questioned by joint team

Two Chinese crew members of the sunken Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, have been rescued and brought to Odisha's Paradip port on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad safely transported Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe from a liferaft on August 22, 2026. Both survivors received medical care during the journey and were subsequently handed over to authorized company representatives in the presence of Bureau of Immigration and local police officials, as per ICG spokesperson Commandant Amit Uniyal.

The rescue occurred after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram. Commandant Uniyal stated that ongoing search and air operations continue to locate the remaining missing crew members. The MRCC Beijing joined the Search and Rescue operation on August 25, 2026, to trace the remaining 22 crew members of MV Ocean Winner, though the chances of rescuing them alive are now slim.

The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy have intensified their search efforts, despite the grim prognosis.

MV Ocean Winner departed Paradip on August 20, 2026, carrying a cargo of iron ore for China. The vessel had a crew of 24, including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi national.