The fate of 22 crew members aboard the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M.V. Ocean Winner remained unknown even after more than 24 hours of intensive search and rescue operations in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast.
The vessel, which was carrying iron ore from Odisha, sank in the sea, prompting a major rescue operation involving the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Two Chinese crew members were rescued, while efforts continued to locate the remaining 22 people reported missing.
According to the latest information available on Sunday, August 23, 2026, Navy ships and aircraft were deployed in the search operation. Coast Guard resources were also involved as authorities continued to scan the area around the location where the vessel went down.
Two Crew Members Rescued
The rescue of two Chinese crew members provided some relief amid the ongoing search. However, the whereabouts and condition of the remaining crew members were still unknown.
The rescued sailors were recovered as naval and Coast Guard teams continued their coordinated operation. Authorities remained focused on finding additional survivors and determining the status of those who had not yet been located.
Large Scale Search Operation
The Indian Navy and the ICG continued to use ships and aircraft to search the surrounding waters. Such operations can cover a wide maritime area, particularly when the exact locations of missing crew members are uncertain.
The search remained active more than a day after the vessel sank, with rescue teams continuing to monitor the sea and investigate possible indications of the missing crew.
Officials have not yet established the circumstances that led to the sinking in the information available so far. The cause of the incident, as well as the precise sequence of events before the vessel went down, is expected to become clearer as authorities gather more information.
Focus Remains on Missing Crew
For the families and colleagues of the missing crew members, the continuing search remained the immediate priority. Rescue agencies were working against time to locate anyone who might still be found in the waters around the incident site.
The rescue of two crew members has demonstrated that survivors can still be located, while the ongoing deployment of naval and Coast Guard assets underlines the scale of the operation.
The authorities are expected to provide further updates as the search progresses. Until then, the status of the 22 missing crew members remains unconfirmed, and search and rescue teams continue their efforts off the Odisha coast.