Updated on: Mar 04, 2026 6:00:51 PM IST
The Sri Lankan navy received a distress call from an Iranian ship Iris Dena.
Iris Dena news Live Updates: An Iranian naval vessel has sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka, prompting a rescue operation by Sri Lankan forces. Sri Lankan authorities said 32 people who were on board the ship have been rescued, while over 140 are still missing. The vessel was identified as IRIS Dena, according to Sri Lankan foreign minister Vijitha Herath, who informed parliament about the incident.
Officials said the navy received a distress call from the Iranian ship and launched a search and rescue operation with the support of the Sri Lankan air force in the Indian Ocean off the island’s coast.
The cause of the sinking remains unclear. While some defence sources suggested the vessel may have been attacked by a submarine, Sri Lanka’s navy said it had not observed any other ship or aircraft in the area.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities search the waters for additional survivors.
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Officials said the navy received a distress call from the Iranian ship and launched a search and rescue operation with the support of the Sri Lankan air force in the Indian Ocean off the island’s coast.
The cause of the sinking remains unclear. While some defence sources suggested the vessel may have been attacked by a submarine, Sri Lanka’s navy said it had not observed any other ship or aircraft in the area.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities search the waters for additional survivors.
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Mar 04, 2026 6:00:50 PM IST
Iris Dena News Live Updates: Galle hospital placed on alert
Iris Dena News Live Updates: The main government hospital in Galle, about 115 kilometres south of Colombo, was placed on alert to receive sailors rescued from the Iranian warship.
Sri Lankan authorities said injured crew members were transported there for treatment as the rescue operation continued.
Mar 04, 2026 5:50:26 PM IST
Iris Dena News Live Updates: Incident comes amid rising Middle East tensions
Iris Dena News Live Updates: The sinking of the Iranian naval frigate comes as tensions across the Middle East continue to rise following the US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said they control the Strait of Hormuz, warning that vessels in the region could face risks, while US President Donald Trump said the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the key shipping route.
Mar 04, 2026 5:32:25 PM IST
IRIS Dena sinking Live Updates: Sri Lanka says rescue efforts will continue
Sri Lankan officials said search operations will continue in hopes of finding more survivors.
“We are hopeful we can rescue more people and will continue operations until we are sure,” a navy spokesman said.
Sri Lankan forces said their immediate focus remains on saving lives before determining what led to the incident.