22 Lives at Stake: Iron Ore Ship Sinks in Bay of Bengal
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 72,000 tonnes of iron ore vanished with 22 crew members missing.
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 72,000 tonnes of iron ore sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, leaving 22 of its 24 crew members missing. The MV Ocean Winner, en route from India’s Paradip Port to China, issued a distress call before disappearing, prompting a large-scale search operation.
The vessel, with a maximum capacity of 73,000 tonnes, was fully loaded when it went down. The crew consisted of 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh. So far, only two Chinese crew members have been rescued and taken ashore.
Rescue Efforts Underway After Two Survivors Found: bay of bengal
Indian authorities have deployed three Coast Guard ships—Anmol, Varad, and Viji—alongside a Navy P-8I aircraft to locate the missing seafarers. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram also redirected the nearby vessel MT Aisopos to assist in the operation. Search teams have spotted two liferafts and an oil slick near the wreck site, offering potential clues to the crew’s whereabouts.
Indian Minister for Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as “unfortunate” and confirmed that all agencies were working together to find the missing sailors.
Calls for Investigation Into Possible Irregularities
The sinking has raised questions about cargo oversight and maritime safety. A former Odisha minister demanded an independent inquiry, citing concerns over illegal iron ore shipments from the state. He highlighted that mineral theft has cost Odisha thousands of crores annually and urged authorities to verify the exact cargo quantity, vessel ownership, and destination details.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard continue their search, though no further updates on the missing crew have been released.
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