Colombo — Sri Lanka rescued at least 30 Iranian sailors from the frigate Iris Dena after receiving a distress message at 5:08 a.m. reporting the ship was sinking about 40 nautical miles off the southern port of Galle, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. Officials said about 180 people were believed to be on board.
The Navy and Air Force launched a joint search-and-rescue operation; the cause of the sinking has not yet been determined. Herath said Sri Lanka responded in accordance with international maritime rescue obligations to assist anyone in distress, regardless of the circumstances.
The rescued crew were taken to the Navy’s southern command headquarters and admitted to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle. Security around the Southern Command has been increased, officials added. Speaking in parliament, Herath expressed regret over the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region and urged a peaceful end to it.
