Paradip, Odisha — Two crew members of a Panama-flagged bulk carrier that sank in the Bay of Bengal were brought to Paradip on Thursday after being rescued from a liferaft, officials said, as extensive sea and air search operations continue for the remaining missing mariners.
Survivors received medical attention on arrival
The Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Varad conveyed the two Chinese nationals, identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, to Paradip on August 27. According to an official statement, both were recovered from a liferaft on the night the vessel went down and received medical treatment on board before being handed over to company representatives at the port in the presence of immigration and local police officials.
"Indian Coast Guard ship Varad safely brought two Chinese survivors ... to Paradip today," an ICG spokesperson said.
The merchant ship, MV Ocean Winner, was carrying iron ore from Paradip to Singapore when it sank on August 22 roughly 240 nautical miles off the Paradip coast. The vessel had a complement of 24 personnel from three nationalities.
Search, rescue and coordination
Maritime agencies from India are coordinating persistent search-and-rescue (SAR) activity involving both surface vessels and aircraft to find the missing crew. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Sri Vijaya Puram initially directed nearby commercial ship MT Aisopos to render assistance and to search for liferafts, and multi-agency assets have been involved since the incident was reported.
Officials said operations remain ongoing and that efforts are focused on expanding the search area while following standard SAR patterns used in open-sea incidents. No further survivors have been confirmed so far.
Incident snapshot
| Vessel | Flag | Crew complement | Route | Date of sinking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MV Ocean Winner | Panama | 24 (20 Chinese, 3 Myanmarese, 1 Bangladeshi) | Paradip → Singapore (iron ore) | 22 August 2026 |
Local and regional implications
The sinking underscores risks faced by merchant shipping along the eastern seaboard and has drawn attention to the readiness of SAR infrastructure at Paradip and adjoining ports. Paradip port authorities and local law enforcement have been involved in reception arrangements for the survivors and in liaison with ship owners and foreign consular contacts, officials said.
Families of the missing crew and the vessel’s owning company are being kept informed through official channels, the statement added. Immigration clearances and medical screening were completed before the survivors were handed over to authorised company representatives.
Practical safety and preparedness notes for mariners and coastal communities
- Ships operating off the eastern coast should ensure all life-saving appliances and communications are serviceable and that crew are trained in abandoning-ship procedures.
- Vessels must maintain continuous radio watch and report any distress or debris sightings to MRCC promptly to aid SAR coordination.
- Coastal fishing boats and small craft should keep clear of active SAR zones and follow any directives issued by maritime authorities to prevent interference with operations.
Coast Guard and port officials have reiterated that quick reporting and adherence to established safety protocols improve survival chances in open-sea emergencies.
As search operations continue, authorities in Paradip remain on alert to receive any further survivors or to provide assistance. Updates will be released by the Indian Coast Guard and port agencies as new information becomes available.
Reporting from Paradip by Sasmita Behera, AI Odisha Correspondent.
