In Shorts
- The Indian Navy launched a rescue operation after receiving a distress call from Iran’s warship IRIS Dena.
- Aircraft and naval vessels were immediately deployed to the area near Sri Lanka.
- The frigate reportedly sank after a major maritime incident in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy initiated a search and rescue operation after receiving an emergency distress call from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka. The response included deploying surveillance aircraft and naval vessels to assist with rescue efforts and locate survivors in the affected area.
According to official statements, the distress signal was received in the early hours of March 4 through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo. The Iranian frigate was reported to be roughly 20 nautical miles west of Galle when the emergency alert was issued. Authorities quickly began coordinating search and rescue activities across the region.
Following the alert, the Indian Navy mobilised assets without delay. A long range maritime patrol aircraft was dispatched to survey the area while another aircraft equipped with air droppable life rafts was kept ready to support survivors at sea. Additionally, a naval vessel was sent toward the site to assist in rescue operations.
Initial reports suggested that the frigate had suffered severe damage and eventually sank in the Indian Ocean. Some reports claimed the vessel may have been hit by a torpedo fired from a United States submarine, though details around the exact cause of the incident remain under investigation and have not been fully confirmed by all authorities.
The ship had been returning from naval engagements hosted by India earlier this year. The vessel had participated in international naval events, including the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, before heading back toward Iran.
Search and rescue efforts in the region continue with coordination among multiple maritime agencies. The Indian Navy’s rapid deployment highlights its readiness to respond to emergencies at sea and assist vessels in distress within the wider Indian Ocean region.
As investigations proceed and rescue operations continue, authorities are working to determine the full details of the incident and the fate of crew members who were on board the frigate at the time of the emergency.
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