The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the Indian Coast Guard have officially called off the week-long search for 22 missing crew members of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner, declaring them dead.
The 28-year-old vessel capsized in the Bay of Bengal shortly after sailing from Paradip port on August 22, carrying 72,000 tonnes of iron ore bound for China. While two Chinese nationals were rescued alive from a life raft and have since returned home via Kolkata, an extensive joint search involving Indian assets and Chinese rescue vessels yielded only an empty lifeboat and an emergency beacon.
With rescue operations concluded, authorities have intensified investigations into the ship's mechanical condition, sea states, and pre-voyage events. Investigators hope statements from the two survivors will provide crucial clues. Meanwhile, maritime circles have raised questions over the absence of a formal FIR regarding the disaster.