Search called off for 22 missing crew as bulk carrier sinks in minutes

A bulk carrier operating under the Panama flag went down in approximately eight minutes, taking 22 of its 24 crew members with it. The rapid sinking has prompted maritime safety experts to examine whether improper cargo conditions may have triggered the vessel's demise.

Investigators are focusing on the ship's cargo of iron ore fines as a potential factor in the disaster. The phenomenon of cargo liquefaction—where excess moisture in granular materials causes them to shift and behave like a liquid—has long posed a hazard to vessels carrying such loads. The sudden movement of liquefied cargo can destabilize a ship's structural integrity, leading to catastrophic failure.

Maritime authorities have indicated that the cargo may not have been properly conditioned before loading, or moisture levels may have exceeded safe thresholds during the voyage. Iron ore fines are particularly susceptible to liquefaction if transported with moisture content above specified limits, a risk well-documented in international shipping regulations.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns within the maritime industry regarding cargo handling standards and the enforcement of moisture limits on bulk carriers. Two crew members were rescued from the vessel, while search and rescue operations for the remaining 22 have been scaled back as prospects for survival diminish. The Panama-flagged carrier's loss is expected to prompt renewed scrutiny of cargo verification procedures and weather-related moisture management protocols.