New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- A Panama-flagged cargo ship carrying 24 crew members, including 20 Chinese nationals, sank near India's east coast in the Bay of Bengal off India's east coast, prompting a search and rescue operation to locate the remaining crew members, officials said.

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 vessel was carrying 24 crew members, comprising 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh. It was last reported around 317 East Island Lt 310 nautical miles, according to officials.

Following the distres...