Galle, Sri Lanka – Web Desk: A major rescue operation is underway in the Indian Ocean after an Iranian Navy warship sank near Galle port in Sri Lanka, leaving at least 80 people confirmed dead and scores missing, Sri Lankan officials said.
According to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, around 180 personnel were on board the vessel at the time of the incident. Approximately 140 individuals remain unaccounted for, while more than 30 were rescued from the sea and transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Sri Lanka’s defence secretary told the BBC that 80 bodies had been recovered so far. Authorities said the country’s navy and air force are jointly conducting search-and-rescue operations in the area.
Hospital sources reported that several survivors suffered fractures, burns, and other injuries, with some listed in critical condition.
Vessel Identified as IRIS Dena
The vessel has been identified as IRIS Dena, part of Iran’s 86th Naval Fleet. The domestically built warship was approximately 95 meters long and weighed around 1,500 tons.
It was equipped with Noor and Qader anti-ship missiles, a 76mm Fajr-27 naval gun, and 30mm weapon systems. Between 2022 and 2023, the ship completed a 65,000-kilometre global maritime voyage and was widely regarded as a symbol of Iran’s expanding naval reach.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that distress signals were received from the vessel earlier in the day, prompting immediate emergency response efforts. However, the exact cause of the sinking has not yet been officially determined.
An opposition lawmaker questioned whether the incident could be linked to ongoing US and Israeli operations against Iran, but the Sri Lankan government has not issued any formal comment on that speculation.
Meanwhile, India’s Eastern Naval Command stated that the vessel had been present in the region to participate in the IRFN Milan 2026 naval exercise.
Iran has yet to release an official statement regarding the sinking. The incident comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and increased scrutiny over maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
