The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are continuing search operations for 22 missing crew members of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner, which is believed to have sunk in the Bay of Bengal. A Navy reconnaissance aircraft located lifeboats and life rafts from the vessel, while Coast Guard ship ICGS Varad later searched a damaged lifeboat but found no survivors inside.

The vessel was located about 230 nautical miles off the Odisha coast. Ocean Winner had departed Paradip, India, on August 20 and was bound for Singapore carrying about 72,200 tonnes of iron ore fines. An emergency beacon was recovered, while an oil slick believed to be connected to the vessel was also spotted in the area.

Two crew members were earlier rescued by the tanker Aisopos after being found in life rafts. According to the rescued seafarers, Ocean Winner suddenly developed a heavy list before sinking within several minutes. The vessel had 24 crew members, consisting of 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.

Authorities are looking into the possibility that cargo liquefaction may have contributed to the incident, although officials stressed that the cause has not yet been determined. Investigators are expected to examine the condition of the iron ore cargo and the circumstances surrounding its loading, while additional Coast Guard vessels and merchant ships continue searching for the missing crew.