At least 87 bodies have been recovered from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which sank following a US military strike in international waters, while 32 crew members have been rescued alive, the Sri Lankan Navy has confirmed.
According to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, the frigate, located approximately 40 nautical miles (around 75 kilometres) off the southern port city of Galle, sent out a distress signal between 6:00 and 7:00 local time.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddika Sampath had earlier stated that, according to the ship’s manifest, the vessel was believed to be carrying 180 personnel. Search and rescue operations for the missing crew are ongoing, officials added.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Wijita Herath, told parliament that following the distress report, the government immediately dispatched naval vessels and aircraft to the scene to assist in the rescue operation. A Navy spokesperson confirmed that no other ships or aircraft were observed in the vicinity of the sinking at the time of the incident.
In Colombo, an Iranian Embassy official told Al Jazeera that two embassy representatives have been sent to Galle to interview the rescued sailors to ascertain the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
The US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, stated at a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday that a US submarine had launched a torpedo in the international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast, sinking the Iranian warship. He described the operation as unprecedented, adding that it is the first time such a direct strike against a foreign adversary has been carried out since the Second World War.
Preliminary Casualty and Rescue Figures
| Category | Number of Personnel |
|---|---|
| Deceased | 87 |
| Rescued Alive | 32 |
| Total Manifested Crew | 180 |
| Still Missing | 61 |
Officials have stressed that these numbers are preliminary, and recovery efforts are continuing as authorities strive to locate the remaining missing crew members. Sri Lankan naval and aviation units remain on high alert, patrolling the area and coordinating with international observers to ensure no further casualties occur.
The sinking of IRIS Dena has sparked international concern, highlighting escalating tensions in key maritime zones and the unprecedented nature of the US strike, prompting diplomatic communications between Iran, Sri Lanka, and global powers.