Cargo Ship Sinks Off Odisha Coast, 22 of 24 Crew Members Still Missing

Odisha: A major accident occurred when a cargo ship sank in the Bay of Bengal near Paradip coast of Odisha. The ship named MV Ocean Winner, which was going to Singapore, sank in the sea, after which 20 out of 24 crew members aboard have gone missing. The Indian Coast Guard immediately launched relief and rescue operations and rescued four people safely, while the search for the other missing members is underway.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, after receiving information about the sinking of the ship, a large-scale search and rescue operation was started in the sea. Officials said that MV Ocean Winner sank about 240 nautical miles off the Paradip coast of Odisha. After the accident, other ships present nearby were also alerted and asked to help in the rescue operation.

When did the ship leave Paradip?

According to the information, MV Ocean Winner had left from Paradip coast of Odisha on the night of 20 August and was to go to Singapore. Initially the situation was not completely clear regarding the number of people on board the ship. The Coast Guard later confirmed that a total of 24 crew members were on board the ship.

After the accident, the rescue team safely pulled out four people from the sea. However, no trace of 20 crew members has been found so far. They are being searched continuously in the sea.

Has the Indian Coast Guard and Navy intensified operations?

After the ship sank in the sea and contact was lost, the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have jointly intensified search and rescue operations. The missing people are being searched with the help of sea patrolling ships and other available resources.

According to the Coast Guard, the main objective of the rescue operation is to locate the missing crew members as soon as possible and to gather information about the entire incident of ship sinking.

How the ship sank, the reason not yet clear

At present it is not clear why the cargo ship sank. The possibility of bad weather, technical fault or any other reason behind the accident can be investigated. Officials have said that first the priority is to safely locate the missing people, after which a detailed investigation will be conducted into the reasons for the sinking of the ship.

This accident in the Bay of Bengal has increased the concern about maritime safety. Rescue agencies are continuing operations and the 20 missing crew members are expected to be found safely.