An Iranian naval frigate has sunk in the Indian Ocean off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, prompting a major international rescue operation. The vessel, identified as the IRIS Dena, went down approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the island nation, according to statements from Sri Lanka's defence ministry.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that 32 sailors from the Iranian warship were rescued in a critical condition. These injured personnel were swiftly evacuated to the main hospital in Galle, a city located about 115 kilometres (70 miles) south of the capital, Colombo. Police have heightened security measures outside the medical facility as the wounded Iranians receive treatment.
Search for Remaining Crew
The fate of the other crew members remains uncertain. The IRIS Dena had a total complement of 180 sailors, and rescue teams are continuing their search operations. A Sri Lankan defence official, speaking to AFP, expressed diminishing hopes for finding additional survivors, stating, "We are keeping up a search, but we don't know yet what happened to the rest of the crew."
Cause of the Sinking Under Investigation
No immediate information has been released regarding the cause of the explosion that led to the warship's sinking. Defence Minister Herath informed parliament that the injured sailors were taken to a hospital in southern Sri Lanka, but did not elaborate on what triggered the incident.
During parliamentary proceedings, an opposition legislator raised questions about whether the vessel had been targeted as part of ongoing US-Israeli attacks against Iran. The government has not provided an immediate response to this speculation, leaving the investigation open.
International Maritime Obligations
Sri Lanka's navy and air force deployed two naval vessels and an aircraft for the rescue mission after receiving a distress call from the IRIS Dena at dawn. Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath emphasised that the operation was conducted in accordance with Sri Lanka's international maritime responsibilities.
"We responded to the distress call under our international obligations, as this is within our search and rescue area in the Indian Ocean," Sampath told AFP. Both the navy and air force have decided not to release footage of the rescue efforts, citing the involvement of another state's military.
Ongoing Developments
The sinking of the Iranian warship marks a significant incident in regional waters, with implications for maritime security and international relations. As search operations persist, authorities are focused on providing medical care to the rescued sailors and determining the precise circumstances that led to this tragic event.
