Search and rescue operations are underway for 22 missing crew members after the MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal.

The MV Ocean Winner, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier, departed Paradip Port in Odisha on August 20, 2026, with 1,700 tonnes of iron ore. The vessel lost communication on August 22, 2026, while in the Bay of Bengal.

1. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard responded to the distress signal. An Indian Navy P-8I aircraft spotted two survivors on life rafts. The commercial vessel MT Aisopos then completed the rescue.

2. The Indian Coast Guard deployed three ships to the sinking site. The vessels Varad, Anmol, and Vijit conduct search-and-rescue operations in the Bay of Bengal. The crews seek the 22 missing personnel.

3. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Vijaya Puram responded to a lost communication report. Staff processed a distress alert from the operator, Victory Star Group Co Ltd. This action triggered the mobilization of search resources. The center coordinated the deployment of Coast Guard vessels.

4. The rescue of two crew members provides a lead for the ongoing search. An Indian Navy P-8I aircraft identified the location of life rafts. This discovery narrowed the search area for the remaining 22 crew members.

1. Twenty-two crew members remain missing after their vessel sank. Rescue teams are searching an area 230 to 240 nautical miles off the Odisha coast. This distance creates logistical challenges for the operation. Each passing hour increases the risk to the missing crew.

2. The final destination of the MV Ocean Winner remains unconfirmed. Some sources identify the ship as China-bound. Other sources report the vessel is headed to Singapore. These conflicting reports obscure the intended route of the voyage.

3. Communication with the vessel ceased at 11:48 AM IST on August 22, 2026. The cause of the emergency remains unknown. This silence limits the information available to rescue teams.

4. The ship operated 230 to 240 nautical miles from the coast. This distance placed the vessel beyond the range of land-based emergency services. Rescue operations required long-range maritime assets. These assets increased the time needed to reach the site.