India launches rescue mission as Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks off east coast

India's maritime rescue agency launched a rescue mission after losing communication with a Panama-flagged cargo ship that sank off the eastern coast of India on Saturday, according to the Indian coastguard.

At the time the vessel sank, there were 24 crew members on board. The manifest included 20 Chinese nationals, three nationals from Myanmar, and one individual from Bangladesh.

Rescue operations remain underway as authorities attempt to locate and assist the missing crew members following the sinking of the vessel.