Cargo Ship Sinks Off Paradip

‘Black Rose’, a Mongolia-based cargo vessel, sank in the sea, 5 km off Paradip port, on Wednesday evening. It had 27 crew members and all, barring one, were rescued by the Coast Guard and port authorities. One member was still missing. The ship was carrying iron ore. After unloading the quota at Paradip, it was to start off for Haldia in West Bengal around 5 pm. While it still stayed anchored off the port, the ship started sinking prompting its captain to send an SOS. Soon, Coast Guard forces and port authorities rushed to the spot and saved the crew members, many of whom are Russian and Bangladeshi nationals.The vessel was carrying 24,000 mt iron ore before it offloaded half of it at Paradip and was to set sail. Sources said 12,000 mt iron ore has been washed away. Apparently due to a technical snag, the vessel tilted and started sinking. All the rescued members have been admitted to Paradip hospital. Paradip Port Trust (PPT) deputy chairman Biplab Kumar said search operation was on to trace the missing crew member. The vessel, he said, might have sunk due to cargo imbalance. An inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the cause of sinking, he added.