Sri Lanka Rescues Sailors from Sinking Iranian Vessel

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan naval forces have rescued 32 sailors from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after it sank approximately 40 kilometers south of the island nation on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The vessel issued a distress call at dawn local time, prompting a swift response from the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force.

Distress Call and Rescue Operation

According to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the IRIS Dena sank just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. The Sri Lankan Navy deployed two ships and an aircraft to the scene following the distress call. Rescued sailors, described as “critically wounded,” were transferred to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for medical treatment Xinhua.

Search for Missing Crew

The IRIS Dena had a crew of 180 members. As of Wednesday afternoon, at least 101 crew members remain missing Middle East Eye. Sri Lankan authorities are continuing search and rescue operations, but an unnamed defense official expressed diminishing hopes of finding additional survivors CNA.

Cause of Sinking Unknown

The cause of the sinking is currently unknown. Foreign Minister Herath stated that no information was immediately available regarding an explosion that sank the vessel CNA. Speculation regarding a potential attack has surfaced, but the government has not yet provided a definitive answer X.

International Obligations

Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath emphasized that the rescue operation was conducted in accordance with international maritime obligations, as the incident occurred within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue zone in the Indian Ocean Middle East Eye.

Further Updates

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. The incident occurred outside of Iranian territorial waters, with Sri Lanka located south of India and far southeast of Iran.