Bay of Bengal Rescue: 2 Sailors Saved, Search Continues for 22 After Ship Sinks

In a dramatic turn of events in the Bay of Bengal, two Chinese crew members from the sunken Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, have been safely brought to Paradip, Odisha. The rescued individuals, identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, were handed over to company representatives and officials after receiving medical care onboard an Indian Coast Guard ship.

The MV Ocean Winner, which was transporting iron ore from Paradip to China, went down in the Bay of Bengal.

There were 24 crew members aboard the vessel, comprising 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi national.

Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe were found on a liferaft on August 22, several days after the distress call was received.

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad played a crucial role in bringing the survivors to shore on Thursday, August 27, 2026. According to ICG spokesperson Commandant Amit Uniyal, both individuals received essential medical attention during their transit and are now safe.

While the rescue of these two sailors offers a glimmer of hope, the search operation for the remaining 22 missing crew members continues with full intensity. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Sri Vijaya Puram is actively coordinating all participating assets, including those from MRCC Beijing, which joined the efforts on August 25, 2026.

Despite the challenging circumstances and the grim chances of finding survivors, both the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have vowed to continue their extensive sea and air search operations until every possible effort has been made.

The incident highlights the inherent dangers of maritime travel and the bravery of rescue personnel.

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