BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 27, 2026: Two Chinese crew members rescued after the Panama-flagged cargo vessel MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha have finally been brought safely ashore at Paradip Port. The two survivors, Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, were rescued from separate liferafts on August 22 and were transported to the mainland aboard Indian Coast Guard Ship Varad. The development comes as the search continues for 22 other crew members who remain missing.
Cargo Ship Sank Off Odisha Coast
The 1998-built bulk carrier had departed Paradip Port on August 20, carrying approximately 71,200 metric tonnes of iron ore fines. It was bound for China when it lost communication and subsequently sank in deep waters of the Bay of Bengal on August 21. The vessel was carrying 24 crew members, including 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.
According to officials, the ship sank approximately 290 nautical miles from Paradip, leaving the crew stranded in difficult sea conditions. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Sri Vijaya Puram activated a large-scale search-and-rescue operation after receiving information about the loss of communication with the vessel.
Two Survivors Found on Liferafts
The rescue operation received a major breakthrough when commercial tanker MT Aisopos was diverted to the area to search for survivors and possible liferafts. The tanker located and rescued the two Chinese crew members at around 8 pm on August 22.
Indian Navy and Coast Guard assets subsequently coordinated the wider search operation. A Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft helped identify floating liferafts and provided information that assisted rescuers in locating the survivors.
The two men remained under medical care during their journey back to the coast. On Thursday, they were handed over to the ship’s loading agent at Paradip in the presence of immigration officials and local police. The agent is expected to coordinate with the Chinese Embassy regarding their eventual return to China.
Search Continues For 22 Missing Crew
Despite the successful rescue, the fate of the remaining 22 crew members remains unknown. Indian Coast Guard and Navy teams have continued aerial and maritime searches, while nearby merchant vessels have also been alerted to assist.
A lifeboat recovered by Coast Guard personnel was reportedly found empty, adding urgency to the continuing search. Rough sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal have complicated operations and made it difficult for rescue teams to cover the vast search area.
Authorities are also working with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Beijing to exchange information and coordinate efforts concerning the missing Chinese nationals.
Cause Of Sinking Under Investigation
The exact reason why MV Ocean Winner sank has not been conclusively established. Preliminary information indicated that the vessel developed a significant list before sinking rapidly. A preliminary investigation has been initiated by maritime authorities to determine whether weather conditions, cargo-related problems, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the accident.
Experts have also raised the possibility of cargo liquefaction, a potentially dangerous phenomenon in which moisture-saturated bulk cargo can suddenly shift and destabilise a vessel. However, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed cause.
For now, Indian maritime authorities remain focused on the search for the missing crew. The safe return of the two Chinese survivors provides a crucial breakthrough, but the rescue operation remains active as teams continue searching the Bay of Bengal for the 22 people still unaccounted for.
