Indian Coast Guard Launches Massive Search and Rescue Operation

The Indian Coast Guard is mounting a massive search and rescue operation for 22 crew members of a merchant vessel that sank off the Odisha coast late on Saturday. With no breakthrough so far in the operation, the Coast Guard has expanded its area of search.

MV Ocean Winner, a Panama-flagged vessel, was carrying over 72,000 tonnes of iron ore from Odisha to China with a stop at Singapore. The ship left Paradip Port early on Friday morning but sank around 230 nautical miles from the coast, in an area known for its extreme depths.

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Key Analysis and Detailed Timeline

The Indian Coast Guard has deployed three ships with around 150 personnel and an aircraft – P8I – on surveillance sortie to aid in the search operation. Two merchant vessels have also been deployed in the joint search effort.

So far, two crew members have been rescued, identified as Chinese nationals. They were brought to Paradip Port in a day or two, according to an official source. The next move will be decided after consultation at the top level.

The reasons behind the mishap are yet to be ascertained, with 20 of the 24 crew members being Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh.

Broader Impact and Sector Outlook

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated all agencies are coordinating closely and actively involved in search and rescue efforts. The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi is also in touch with officials at different levels to take stock of the situation.

The Coast Guard's spokesperson, Commandant Amit Uniyal, stated that it’s a standard practice to expand the search area based on previous inputs. As the operation progresses, it’s clear that the search and rescue operation will be an all-the-more challenging task due to the location of the sinking.

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It’s a race against time in the Bay of Bengal, where over 150 personnel of the Indian Coast Guard and a surveillance aircraft of the Indian Navy are mounting a massive search and rescue operation for 22 crew members of a merchant vessel, which sank off the Odisha coast late on Saturday. Coast Guard sources stated that with no breakthrough so far in the search for the crew members of MV Ocean Winner, they have expanded their area of operation.

“As the operation progresses, it’s a standard practice to expand the search area based on the inputs from the previous area of search. So far, there has been no update on the whereabouts of the 22 missing crew members,” Coast Guard spokesperson Commandant Amit Uniyal informed The Indian Express.

Of the 24 crew members in the Panama-flagged vessel, two were rescued on Saturday itself. They were identified as Chinese nationals. In the joint search operation, the Indian Coast Guard has deployed three ships with around 150 personnel while the Eastern Naval Command has also deployed an aircraft – P8I – on surveillance sortie.

At least two merchant vessels have been deployed in the search operation. Also, the mishap took place at a location in the Bay of Bengal where the sea is known to be extremely deep, making the search and rescue operation an all the more challenging task.

MV OCEAN WINNER sank around 230 nautical miles (425 km) from the Paradip coast of Odisha. It was carrying more than 72,000 tonnes of iron ore from Odisha to China with a suspend at Singapore. It left Paradip Port early on Friday earlier today.

On the two rescued sea farers, an official source stated, “The crew members — both Chinese nationals — are most likely to be brought to Paradip Port in a day or two. The next move will be resolved after consultation at the top level.” The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi is also in touch with authorities at different levels to take stock of the situation, the sources stated.

The reasons behind the mishap, meanwhile, are yet to be ascertained. According to authorities, 20 of the 24 crew members are Chinese nationals, three are from Myanmar and one is from Bangladesh. On Sunday, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated all agencies are coordinating closely and actively involved in search and rescue efforts.