ICG deploys ships for search-and-rescue operation after Panama-flagged vessel sinks

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed three of its ships for a search-and-rescue operation after a Panama-flagged bulk carrier, carrying 24 crew members, sank in the Bay of Bengal, about 240 nautical miles from the Paradip coast of Odisha, on Saturday (August 22, 2026), officials said.

The bulk carrier, M.V. Ocean Winner, was carrying “20 Chinese, three Myanmarese and one Bangladeshi” on board, an ICG spokesperson said.

The vessel’s last port of call was Paradip and next port of call was Singapore, the official added.

ICG’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Vijaya Puram received an information from a company associated with the vessel “at 1148 hrs regarding loss of communication with MV Ocean Winner (IMO 9145530), with 24 crew onboard, and a request for search and rescue assistance”, the ICG spokesperson said.

The ship was carrying iron ore from Odisha, officials had earlier said. The ICG and the Indian Navy have launched the rescue operation, they said.

The MRCC diverted MT Aisopos, a commercial vessel which was in the vicinity, to “search for the vessel or liferafts and render assistance, and the vessel recovered two survivors from two liferafts at about 2000 hrs”, the ICG spokesperson added.

ICG ships “Varad” and “Anmol” have been deployed for the search-and-rescue efforts, while “Vijit” has also been deployed from Sri Vijaya Puram to augment the operation, the official added.

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