Iranian frigate IRIS Dena sinks off Sri Lanka after reported submarine attack, with over 100 missing
The Facts
- The Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena issued a distress call off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on 4 March and subsequently sank near the area of Galle.
- Sri Lanka’s navy and air force launched a rescue operation after receiving the distress signal from IRIS Dena, deploying multiple ships and at least one aircraft.
- Sri Lankan officials and hospital sources say roughly 30–35 sailors from IRIS Dena were rescued and taken to hospitals in southern Sri Lanka, including Galle, with some in serious or critical condition.
- Multiple reports citing Sri Lanka’s navy and defence ministry sources state that at least 101 people from IRIS Dena are missing and 78 have been injured.
- Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Vijitha (Vajitha) Herath told parliament that the ship IRIS Dena had about 180 people on board when it sent the distress signal.
- Officials and sources quoted by Reuters and other outlets have described the incident as involving a submarine attack on the Iranian ship, though Sri Lankan authorities have not publicly provided full details on how the vessel was damaged.
- IRIS Dena is identified in multiple reports as a Moudge-class (Mowj-class) Iranian navy frigate.
- Sri Lankan authorities say search and rescue operations for missing crew members from IRIS Dena are ongoing in the waters off the country’s southern coast.
Context
Where and when did the incident involving the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena occur?
The incident occurred on 4 March off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, near or just outside its territorial waters, in the area south of the port city of Galle, after IRIS Dena sent a distress call at dawn and later sank in the Indian Ocean U.S. News & World R…,BBC,infobae,Daily Mail,Hindustan Times,EL MUNDO,India Today,Independent.
How many people were on board IRIS Dena, and what is known about casualties and survivors?
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister and other officials said about 180 people were on board IRIS Dena, and reports citing Sri Lankan navy and defence ministry sources say at least 101 are missing and 78 injured, while roughly 30–35 sailors have been rescued and taken to hospitals in southern Sri Lanka Yeni Akit Gazetesi,Devdiscourse,Radio Sarajevo,U.S. News & World R…,birgun.net,Telangana Today,BBC,infobae,Hindustan Times,News18,EL MUNDO,Hürriyet,Haber7.com,europa press,Independent.
What do officials and reports say about the cause of the sinking of IRIS Dena?
Several reports citing Sri Lanka’s navy and defence ministry sources describe the incident as a submarine attack on the Iranian ship, with references to an explosion, but Sri Lankan authorities have not publicly released full details on how the vessel was damaged, and some official statements focus only on the distress call and rescue without confirming the attack narrative Devdiscourse,Radio Sarajevo,birgun.net,BBC,Daily Mail,Hindustan Times,EL MUNDO,India Today,Haber7.com,Milliyet,Independent.
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