New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed concern over a Panama-flagged cargo ship sinking in the Bay of Bengal and said all agencies are engaged in search and rescue efforts and two survivors have been successfully rescued. The ship had 24 crew members.

Sonowal said in a post on X that the rescued survivors are being given medical care and their rank and identity is being verified.

The Panama-flagged vessel was carrying iron ore from Paradip Port to China.

'Deeply concerned by the unfortunate incident involving MV OCEAN WINNER off the coast of Odisha. The Panama-flagged vessel was carrying iron ore from Paradip Port to China. All agencies are coordinating closely and actively doing search and rescue efforts,' he said.

'Twp survivors have been successfully rescued and are being given medical care; their rank and identity are currently being verified. My prayers for the safety of the remaining crew,' he added.

A Panama-flagged cargo ship carrying 24 crew members, including 20 Chinese nationals, sank near India's east coast in the Bay of Bengal, officials said on Saturday.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received information late on Saturday, August 22, regarding the loss of communication with MV Ocean Winner and a request for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance from Victory Star Group Co Ltd.

The 24 crew members also included three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh.

It was last reported around 317 East Island Lt 310 nautical miles, according to officials. Following the distress alert, MRCC (SVP) activated the International Safety Net (ISN) and diverted MT AISOPOS to search for the vessel and its liferafts and render assistance. The merchant vessel later rescued two survivors from two liferafts at around 2000 hours.

The Indian Coast Guard deployed ICGS Varad and ICGS Anmol for the rescue mission, while ICGS Vijit was also deployed from Sri Vijaya Puram to augment the operation.

A senior police official said efforts were underway to trace the remaining crew members. The identities of the rescued crew members were not immediately known.

The iron ore cargo vessel reportedly disappeared from the tracking system after departing from Paradip Port and later sank in the Bay of Bengal, more than 200 nautical miles off the Paradip coast in Odisha.

According to maritime vessel tracker MarineTraffic, MV Ocean Winner was a bulk carrier sailing under the Panama flag. The vessel had a length overall of 225 metres and a width of 32.26 metres. (ANI)