At least 101 people are missing and 78 others have been wounded following a suspected submarine attack on an Iranian vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Reuters reported citing sources in Sri Lanka’s Navy and Defence Ministry.
Sri Lanka Navy vessels were deployed after receiving a distress call from the Iranian Navy vessel ‘IRIS Dena’, which had reported difficulties about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle.
Authorities earlier confirmed that several injured Iranian naval personnel were rescued and brought ashore, with 32 admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Hospital officials said one of the rescued personnel is in critical condition while several others have sustained moderate and minor injuries.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy vessels remain engaged in rescue operations as efforts continue to locate and assist those still at sea.
However, Sri Lankan authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming reports of a submarine attack or the number of missing. Reuters said the information was based on sources in Sri Lanka’s Navy and Defence Ministry. (Newswire)