Washington/Galle: An Iranian warship reportedly sank off the coast of southern Sri Lanka following a strike carried out by a US military submarine, three US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
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The vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, went down in the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lankan authorities confirming that 32 crew members were rescued and several bodies recovered. Sri Lankan defence sources indicated that at least 101 personnel were missing, although the navy later declined to confirm the number of missing.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that the frigate sank after departing India, where it had recently participated in a fleet review. The navy launched search and rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call from the ship, with assistance from the Sri Lankan Air Force.
A Sri Lankan navy spokesman said the forces were prioritising rescue efforts and would investigate the cause of the sinking later. He also stated that no other ships or aircraft were observed in the vicinity at the time of the incident.
The US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the strike was executed by a US submarine, although no official military statement had been released.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and the Sri Lankan authorities expressed hope that additional survivors could be recovered.
