MV Ocean Winner sinking: 22 crew members presumed dead

The search and rescue operation for the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner has been terminated, with 22 crew members presumed dead. The vessel, which was carrying approximately 72,000 metric tonnes of iron ore, sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 22, shortly after departing from Paradip Port.

Only two Chinese crew members were rescued from a liferaft. They reported that the vessel lost control, began drifting, and tilted heavily to its right side before disappearing beneath the sea within minutes. The survivors described a chaotic scene where a powerful whirlpool generated by the sinking vessel reportedly pulled several crew members into the deep sea.

The missing crew members include nationals from China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. While an empty lifeboat and an emergency beacon were recovered during the week-long operation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Chinese vessels, no other survivors were found. Investigations into the cause of the sinking are expected to continue, utilizing the testimony of the two survivors.