Iranian ship ‘sunk’ in submarine attack as IRGC Navy ‘sent to bottom of sea’ | World | News
It was claimed that at least 140 people were lost and 32 people were injured in a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka. Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said Sri Lanka rescued 32 sailors from the frigate Iris Dena, which sank in the island’s territorial waters. He said the injured were taken to a hospital in the south and the hospital was alerted to receive them.
Iris Dena, with a crew of 180, made an emergency call at dawn. Mr Herath confirmed that two Sri Lankan navy ships and an aircraft were deployed for the rescue mission. Defense Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha told BBC Sinhala that around 140 people were still missing.
“As this is within our Search and Rescue Area in the Indian Ocean, we responded to the distress call under our international obligations,” Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath told AFP.
Deputy Minister of Defense Major General (Eretd) Aruna Jayasekara said that the cause of the incident is being investigated as the “exact cause” is not yet known.
He told BBC Sinhala: “The Navy is investigating. The cause is yet to be established. We have not found a definitive cause at the moment.”
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Galle National Hospital, where the injured were sent, took 32 patients from the ship. The director told the press that one was in “critical condition” while the others had “minor injuries”.
“There are cuts. There are burns. There are a few people with broken bones.” But he said the cause of the injuries had not been determined “with certainty.”
Iris Dena is part of the Iranian Navy’s 86th Fleet and is armed with Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles, 76 mm Fajr-27 naval gun, 30 mm weapon system, torpedoes and surface-to-air missiles.
Iran’s navy says it is designed to improve its capabilities to protect global trade, counter piracy and conduct long-range naval operations.
According to the Indian Navy Eastern Command, the ship arrived in Visakhapatnam, India, on February 17 to participate in the “IFR & MILAN 2026” naval exercise.
