Thirty-two Iranians rescued from the Iranian warship ‘IRIS Dena’ by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to Galle have been admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, hospital sources said.
The vessel had reported distress about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle earlier today (04), prompting the Sri Lanka Navy to launch a rescue operation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath earlier told Parliament that around 180 individuals were on board the Iranian Navy vessel when it encountered difficulties at sea.
“We first received a distress call at around 05.08 am. We immediately dispatched two Navy ships to assist the Iranian Navy Vessel. Thereafter, a joint operation was conducted by the Navy and Air Force to rescue those in need of help. 30 persons in need of urgent help were immediately rescued. They have been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle,” he said.
Minister Herath further said that the Iranian Navy vessel was not in Sri Lankan waters, but within close vicinity off the coast of Galle.
“We are bound by the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention), 1979, to help any ship in distress, irrespective of its nationality,” he added. (Newswire)