India launches rescue operation as bulk carrier sinks off east coast

India's maritime rescue agency has confirmed the sinking of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Ocean Winner off the country's eastern coast. Communication with the ship was lost on Saturday, according to the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel was en route to Singapore, having departed from India's eastern Paradip port on Thursday, carrying iron ore.

The Ocean Winner had 24 crew members on board at the time of the incident: 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals, and one Bangladeshi. The Indian Coast Guard has dispatched two vessels from Sri Vijaya Puram to conduct a search-and-rescue mission. So far, two individuals have been successfully rescued from life rafts, and the operation continues for the remaining seafarers.

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The Coast Guard has rescued two people from life rafts. The search-and-rescue mission is under way for the seafarers on the vessel.

The exact location of the sinking was approximately 240 nautical miles from the Paradip port. The cause of the vessel's demise remains unknown at this time. Captain Alekha Charan Sahoo, deputy conservator of the Paradip Port Authority, expressed his hopes for the safety of the crew, stating he was praying for their well-being and "hoping for the best."

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I am praying for the safety of the crew on board and hoping for the best.