Kolkata, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News) Two Chinese crew members rescued after the sinking of bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner have been unable to provide information about the fate of their 22 missing colleagues or explain the circumstances that led to the vessel’s disappearance in the Bay of Bengal.
The two sailors, identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, were brought to Paradip Port in Odisha on Thursday aboard Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship ICGS Varad. They received medical attention during the journey and were subsequently handed over to authorised representatives of the shipping company in the presence of Bureau of Immigration officials and local police.
An official said the survivors were traumatised and confused and could not recall what happened to their colleagues or describe the sequence of events leading to the sinking. Officials hope they may be able to provide more information after recovering from the trauma.
Meanwhile, maritime experts are examining several possible reasons for the vessel’s sinking. Mariners have suggested that shifting cargo or excessive moisture in the iron ore could have affected the ship’s stability.
The 225-metre-long vessel was carrying around 71,000 tonnes of iron ore loaded at Paradip for delivery to Singapore. A Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) official said heavy rain around the time of loading could have increased moisture in the ore, potentially causing it to turn into a slurry-like mass inside the holds.
Such cargo movement, the official explained, could cause the ship to list and potentially take on water. Dry bulk cargo can also shift unexpectedly, creating a dangerous imbalance.
However, mariners have raised questions over how quickly the vessel sank, noting that cargo movement and listing generally provide some warning to the crew. They have also questioned why lifeboats and life rafts were found without occupants.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Sri Vijaya Puram, received a distress message from Victory Star Group Co Ltd on August 22 reporting the loss of communication with the Panama-flagged MV Ocean Winner. The vessel was last located around 230 nautical miles southeast of Paradip.
The ship had 24 crew members — 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.
The ICG, Indian Navy and other maritime agencies launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation. An Indian Navy P-8I aircraft spotted three drifting life rafts, prompting MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram to activate the International Safety Net and seek assistance from nearby merchant vessels.
MT Aispos rescued the two survivors from one life raft on August 22. Another empty lifeboat was subsequently located near the Odisha coast.
The ICG has since deployed additional ships and aircraft for coordinated aerial and surface searches. MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram continues to coordinate efforts to locate the remaining crew members.
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