China-Bound Cargo Vessel Missing Off Odisha Coast; 24 Crew Members Feared Adrift

A cargo vessel carrying iron ore from Odisha’s Paradip Port to China has reportedly gone missing after losing communication approximately 200 nautical miles off the eastern coast of India, triggering a major search and rescue operation by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.

According to officials and port sources, the Panama-flagged vessel departed Paradip Port at around 10:30 p.m. on August 20, loaded with nearly 1,700 tonnes of iron ore fines destined for China. The ship was reportedly sailing in the Bay of Bengal when contact with authorities was lost, raising concerns about the safety of the vessel and its crew.

Preliminary information suggests that 24 crew members were on board the ship at the time of the incident. The crew reportedly included 20 Chinese nationals, one Bangladeshi national, and three Myanmar nationals. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the vessel’s name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, or the exact circumstances that led to the loss of communication.

Deputy Inspector General Sanjay Negi of the Indian Coast Guard’s Paradip unit confirmed that search and rescue efforts are underway. He stated that rescue teams from the Andaman and Nicobar command have been mobilized and are expected to reach the suspected location by Sunday morning. Additional vessels operating in nearby waters have also been alerted and asked to assist in locating the missing ship and its crew.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the vessel may have sunk in deep waters. Some accounts suggest that crew members managed to abandon the ship and are currently afloat using lifeboats and life jackets while awaiting rescue. However, officials have not independently verified these reports.

The incident has sparked concern among maritime authorities due to the multinational crew and the vessel’s location far from the coast. Search operations are expected to continue through the night as rescue agencies work to establish contact and determine the fate of the ship and those on board.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue efforts to locate the vessel and rescue any survivors.