The second officer of a private cargo vessel from Panama carrying iron ore went missing after he slipped off a draft ladder and fell into the water at East Midnapore’s Haldia port complex on Friday.

Sources said Myanmar national Sang Oo, 34, of carrier MV Magic Striker was last seen around Friday 10.40pm.

“Crew members reported he was wearing a life jacket and flailing in the water to prevent himself from drowning. Search parties have been at work since Friday night but we have had no luck so far,” said a port official, adding that water depth at the site was roughly 10 metres.

Sources said that Oo, the second officer of the vessel, was also heard crying for help.

The captain, chief officer and others cried to rescue him but failed.

Haldia dock complex general manager (administration) Pravin Kumar Das said coast guards’ efforts to rescue Oo were underway.