IRIS Dena: 32 rescued, 28 bodies recovered so far

News

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has managed to rescue 32 Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena frigate, while the bodies of 28 others have been recovered so far.

The vessel had sent a distress call while located about 40 nautical miles off Galle.

The injured 32 sailors were brough ashore earlier today and rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment. They were admitted to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit. A hospital spokesperson said four of the injured were in critical condition.

A navy officer said the vessel had a crew of 140 at the time it sank and that the death toll from the disaster is likely to rise.

Naval assets from the SLN's Southern Command were deployed after a distress call from the IRIS Dena was received earlier today stating that it was sinking. The navy source added that it is suspected that the vessel had been torpedoed by a submarine.

Two officials from the Iranian Embassy in Colombo also arrived at the Karapitiya Hospital this evening to check on the status of the injured Iranian sailors.

Text and Pix By Sugathapala Diyagahage