The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has intensified search and rescue operations after the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 22, officials said on Sunday. The vessel went down around 230 nautical miles from the Paradip coast of Odisha with 24 crew members on board.
Initial reports had described the ship as missing. The crew comprised 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmarese and one Bangladeshi, officials said. An ICG spokesperson said MT Aisopos rescued two crew members from separate liferafts at around 8 pm on Saturday. The vessel was last reported to be sailing around 200 nautical miles from Paradip when communication was lost, sources at the Paradip Port Authority said.
Sharing an update on the rescued personnel, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said two survivors have been rescued and were being given medical care. “Their rank and identity are currently being verified,” PTI quoted the minister as saying. The ICG said on Sunday that three of its ships have been deployed to continue the search for the remaining crew members.
