Emergency Rescue Operations Underway After Iranian Naval Vessel Incident

A distress signal from the Iranian naval vessel Iris Dena has triggered a large-scale rescue operation off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. With 101 crew members reported missing and 78 injured, the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force are actively engaged in search efforts. The situation remains critical as authorities work to locate the missing personnel and provide medical assistance to the injured. The circumstances surrounding the alleged submarine attack are still unclear, prompting ongoing investigations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 17:31 IST

Major Rescue Efforts Following Iranian Ship Distress

Colombo, March 4: Authorities have reported that 101 individuals are currently unaccounted for and 78 have sustained injuries following what has been characterized as a submarine attack on an Iranian naval ship located south of Sri Lanka. This incident has prompted a significant rescue operation involving both sea and air resources.

The Sri Lankan Navy initiated an emergency response after receiving a distress signal from the Iranian vessel, Iris Dena, which was said to be carrying 180 crew members at the time.

During a parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated, “The Navy was alerted to the distress of the Iris Dena, which had 180 personnel aboard. In response, Sri Lanka promptly deployed naval ships and Air Force aircraft for rescue missions.”

Military units have been dispatched to the southern coastal waters of the island, where naval teams are actively engaged in search operations amid rising concerns regarding the missing individuals.

A spokesperson from the Defence Ministry reported that 32 injured persons have been rescued and taken to hospitals, updating earlier casualty estimates.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, a senior official from the Health Ministry, shared the latest information on the condition of those rescued. “One individual is in critical condition, seven are receiving urgent medical care, while the rest are being treated for less severe injuries,” he noted.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as officials strive to locate the missing crew members.

The situation is under close observation, with both maritime and aerial resources deployed in the affected search area.

As of now, authorities have not disclosed additional information regarding the specifics of the purported submarine attack.