(Photo of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena during joint exercises with Russia on 12 Mar 2024 GMT+7)
An Iranian military ship sank to the seabed off the coast of Sri Lanka following an explosion, with over 140 people currently missing. The cause remains uncertain.
Foreign news agencies reported that the Iranian Navy frigate "IRIS Dena" sank in the sea off Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 4 Mar 2026 GMT+7. The Sri Lankan Navy confirmed they had rescued 32 survivors amid reports that an explosion occurred before the ship sank in the early morning hours.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister and security officials stated that hope of finding the 148 missing crew members is fading.
It is still unclear what caused the explosion on IRIS Dena, which was returning from participating in naval exercises at Visakhapatnam, a major eastern port city in India.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddhapa Sampath told BBC that rumors claiming the ship sank due to a submarine attack were denied, and the true cause remains unknown.
This shipwreck occurred amid ongoing Middle East conflict, following Israel and the United States launching attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting Iran to retaliate against neighboring Middle Eastern countries, significantly heightening regional tensions.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Wicita Herath revealed in parliament that the 32 rescued Iranians were urgently taken to the main hospital in the island's southern region, while two naval vessels and one aircraft were deployed to search for survivors.
The minister added that the frigate sent a distress signal at dawn on Wednesday, and within an hour, rescue ships reached the scene about 40 kilometers south of Galle port.
However, upon arrival, the rescue team found the frigate fully sunk to the seabed, with only an oil slick remaining on the surface. Several people were found floating, and officials proceeded to assist them.
Dr. S.D. Ranka, director of Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, said he had been informed there might be fatalities, but so far only 32 injured crew members have been admitted to the hospital.
Opposition parliamentarians questioned whether the ship was bombed as part of ongoing attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, but the Sri Lankan government has not commented on this matter.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cna