Iranian warship sinks off Sri Lanka, 148 sailors missing

148 sailors are missing and 32 have been rescued after an Iranian frigate sank off the coast of Sri Lanka following a large explosion.

Sri Lanka's Navy announced today that 32 sailors from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena were rescued. However, hopes are fading for the 148 sailors still missing, according to the country's foreign minister and defense officials.

Iran's IRIS Dena frigate. *Photo: Fars News*

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the ship sent out a distress signal in the early morning on 4/3. Less than an hour later, a rescue vessel reached the site of the incident, approximately 40 km south of Galle port in southern Sri Lanka. By then, the ship had completely sunk, leaving only an oil slick.

The 32 survivors were taken to Galle central hospital for emergency treatment, while Sri Lanka deployed two naval ships and an aircraft to search for the missing.

Surviving sailors stated that the vessel sank after an explosion. The IRIS Dena frigate was reportedly en route after participating in military exercises at Visakhapatnam port in eastern India.

"We are continuing the search, but it remains unclear what happened to the rest of the crew", a Sri Lankan defense official told AFP news agency.

The director of Karapitiya Hospital in Galle stated he was informed about the possibility of fatalities, but only 32 injured sailors were brought there.

An injured person is taken to Galle National Hospital for treatment after the Iranian warship sank off Sri Lanka on 4/3. *Photo: Reuters*

A Sri Lankan parliament member questioned whether the ship had been attacked in connection with military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran, but the government has not yet responded.

Reuters, meanwhile, cited sources from the Sri Lankan Navy and Ministry of Defense stating that the Iranian warship was attacked by a submarine.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath stated their search and rescue operations comply with international maritime obligations.

"We responded to the distress signal under international obligations because this area falls within our search and rescue jurisdiction in the Indian Ocean", he said.

Both the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force stated they would not release rescue images due to the incident involving a foreign military. Police have increased security outside Galle hospital.