An Iranian naval vessel has sunk in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, leaving around 140 people missing and prompting a large search and rescue operation, officials said.
The ship, identified as the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, issued a distress call before sinking near the southern Sri Lankan city of Galle. Sri Lanka’s navy and air force launched emergency rescue operations after receiving the alert from the vessel.
Authorities said at least 30 to 32 sailors have been rescued, many of them injured and taken to a hospital in southern Sri Lanka.
The vessel reportedly carried about 180 crew members, meaning a large number remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.
The cause of the sinking is still unclear. Some defense sources suggested the warship may have been hit by a submarine attack, though Sri Lankan naval officials said they had not confirmed the presence of another vessel or aircraft in the area.
The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate commissioned in 2021 and part of Iran’s navy, sank on 4 March 2026 during the ongoing regional conflict.
Search teams continue scanning the surrounding waters in hopes of locating additional survivors.
