Two rescued Chinese crew members of sunken Panama-flagged vessel brought to Odisha’s Paradip

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Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad safely brought two Chinese survivors identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe to Paradip. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Two rescued Chinese crew members of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, that sank in Bay of Bengal were brought to Odisha’s Paradip on Thursday (August 27, 2026).

“Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad safely brought two Chinese survivors identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe to Paradip. Rescued from a liferaft on August 22, 2026 both received medical care onboard during transit and have now been handed over to authorized company representatives in the presence of Bureau of Immigration and local police officials,” ICG spokesperson Commandant Amit Uniyal said.

The development comes after the two Chinese nationals were rescued by a merchant vessel on August 22, after a distress call was received by MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram.

Commandant Uniyal said coordinated sea and air search operations continue in full swing to locate the remaining missing crew members.

“Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Sri Vijaya Puram is continuously coordinating with all participating assets in the ongoing rescue efforts,” he said in a statement.

On August 25, 2026, MRCC, Beijing had joined the Search and Rescue operation to trace remaining 22 crew members of MV Ocean Winner. Though chances of rescuing crew members alive are grim, ICG and Indian Navy have intensified their search operation.

The MV Ocean Winner had sailed with iron ore from Paradip for China on August 20. There were 24 crew members on board, comprising 20 Chinese nationals, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi national.

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