Cyclone Phailin: Cargo ship feared to have sunk, crew members spotted

Kahlon said a Dornier aircraft and hovercraft belonging to Coast Guard were searching for the ship which sailed with 19 Chinese and one Indonesian crew member on board.

It could not be immediately confirmed whether MV Bingo, built in 2004-5, had sunk since there was no official communication with the crew, who Kahlon hoped were safe.

As per international practice, ships are advised to stay on open seas instead of inside harbors to avoid damage during storms.