Sri Lanka Navy Recovers 87 Bodies After Iranian Warship Is Hit in Indian Ocean

In Shorts

• Sri Lanka retrieves 87 bodies from waters after Iranian warship sinks.
• 32 sailors were rescued and are being treated at a hospital in Galle.
• The sinking follows a reported submarine attack in international waters.

Sri Lanka’s navy has recovered 87 bodies from the Indian Ocean after an Iranian naval vessel sank off the island’s southern coast following an apparent underwater attack. The search and rescue mission also brought 32 survivors to safety, some of whom are receiving medical care in the southern port city of Galle, officials said.

The vessel, identified as the IRIS Dena, was struck and sank in international waters south of Sri Lanka, according to reports from defence officials. The ship had been carrying around 180 crew members when it issued a distress call in the early hours, prompting the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force to launch rescue efforts.

By the time Sri Lankan rescue teams reached the scene, the warship was no longer visible above the surface. Naval spokespersons said crews found floating life rafts and oil patches, but no intact hull, as they worked to save those in the water.

Local health authorities said one survivor is in critical condition, while several others are being treated for injuries ranging from serious to minor. The identities and nationalities of the recovered bodies have not yet been disclosed, and search efforts for additional missing sailors continue.

The incident comes amid heightened military activity involving Iran’s navy and coalition forces, with the IRIS Dena one of several Iranian vessels reportedly lost in recent confrontations. The frigate was among the country’s more modern warships, equipped with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and a helicopter.

Sri Lankan lawmakers and military leaders have underscored that the rescue operation was conducted under international maritime obligations, and that the incident occurred outside the nation’s territorial waters. Authorities in Colombo have yet to issue statements on the broader geopolitical implications of the attack.

Global reaction to the sinking is still unfolding, with diplomatic channels said to be active as countries assess the impact of the event on regional stability and international sea lanes.