Colombo, March 4 (ANI): Iranian diplomats on Wednesday sought information about the cause of an Iranian naval ship sinking off the Sri Lankan coast, Al Jazeera reported.
The Sri Lankan government has not issued a statement on possible causes. The vessel sent a distress signal about 40 km (25 miles) off Galle, just south of the capital Colombo, and boats were dispatched to assist survivors. Sources told Al Jazeera there was no evidence of another ship in the area.
Iran’s ambassador, Alireza Delkhosh, said the military attache and a consular official were sent to the hospital to speak with survivors and try to determine what happened.
A Sri Lankan navy spokesperson told Al Jazeera that bodies suspected to be crew members have been recovered during the ongoing rescue operation; the spokesperson declined to provide a death toll. The spokesperson also said 32 people were rescued from the vessel and were receiving hospital treatment, and they did not observe any other ships nearby.
Sri Lankan media later reported the navy rescued 30 sailors from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, which was in distress with around 180 sailors onboard. Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the rescued sailors were being taken to Karapitiya Hospital for medical care.
The incident occurred amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed control of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels passing through the waterway risk damage from missiles or stray drones.
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