Paradip, Aug 29: Two Chinese crew members rescued from the ill-fated cargo vessel Ocean Winner have left Paradip and travelled to Kolkata with the assistance of the ship's agency. From Kolkata, the two sailors are scheduled to travel to China, where they will be handed over to the Chinese Embassy.

The two rescued crew members were identified as Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianheng. They were among the 24 crew members aboard the Ocean Winner, of whom only the two Chinese sailors have so far been rescued.

The Indian Coast Guard vessel Varad brought the two sailors safely ashore after they were rescued from the sea. Following their arrival, they were handed over to representatives of the shipping company and immigration officials.

During questioning by investigating agencies, the two sailors reportedly recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the sinking of the vessel.

According to their account, it was around 10:30 pm when they were resting at their duty station on the upper deck while several other crew members were inside the ship. Suddenly, a loud sound was followed by an emergency siren.

By that time, the vessel had already submerged by around 30 to 40 per cent, leaving the crew surrounded by darkness and rapidly rising water.

The two sailors said that a total of 10 crew members jumped into the sea in an attempt to escape. Within just eight to 10 minutes, they allegedly witnessed 14 crew members disappear into the sea along with the vessel.

Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianheng managed to reach a life raft, which helped them survive. The other eight people who jumped into the water were reportedly swept into the deep sea amid the strong whirlpool created as the vessel sank.

The sailors said the Ocean Winner sank within a very short period because of heavy rolling in the sea. So far, there is no confirmed information about the whereabouts of the remaining crew members or the exact location where the vessel sank.

Meanwhile, a search operation is continuing at sea. Two Chinese vessels and two aircraft of the Chinese Navy are reportedly involved in the ongoing search for the missing crew members and the sunken vessel.

The rescue of the two sailors has provided investigators with crucial information about the final moments of the Ocean Winner, while search teams continue efforts to trace the remaining crew members.