Operation launched to rescue sailors from Iranian vessel sinking off Galle

A joint rescue operation has been launched by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) after a distress call was received from an Iranian vessel off the coast of Galle. 

Giving an update in Parliament a short while ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath revealed that the vessel that had sent out the distress call was not in Sri Lanka's territorial waters at the time of the incident. He said the vessel has been identified as an Iranian Navy vessel named IRIS Dena. The SOS had stated that the ship was sinking and its distress call had been received by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard at about 5.08am today. 

A Sri Lanka Navy vessel was dispatched to the location of the vessel in distress by 6.00am while a second navy vessel was also sent by 7.00am. 

The SLN and the SLAF mounted a joint rescue operation and have so far rescued 30 survivors from the vessel. Mr. Herath said the ship is reported to have had a crew of about 180. The 30 rescued Iranians have been brought ashore and admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment, he added. 

The Foreign Minister noted that Sri Lanka is a signatory to the International Convention of Maritime Search and Rescue and as such, was bound by the rules of the convention to assist sailors of any nationality on board a vessel that was in distress near the country's waters.