sri lanka sent ships and aircraft on Wednesday to rescue 30 Iranian sailors from the Iranian frigate Iris Dena as it sank just outside the island’s territorial waters. The operation unfolded as the vessel, carrying a crew of 180, began sinking from dawn, prompting an emergency response at sea. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament the rescued sailors were injured and were being transported to a hospital in the island’s south.
Rescue underway as Iris Dena sinks outside Sri Lanka territorial waters
The immediate response was confirmed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in remarks delivered to parliament on Wednesday. He said ships and aircraft were dispatched as the Iranian frigate Iris Dena was sinking just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.
Herath said 30 Iranian sailors were rescued and described them as injured. He added they were being brought to a hospital in the island’s south.
Officials have not provided further details in the public statements cited in parliament, including the exact location beyond the description “just outside” territorial waters, the condition of the injured, or the cause of the sinking.
Immediate reactions: Foreign minister briefs parliament on the injured
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, speaking in parliament, said: Sri Lanka “sent ships and aircraft to rescue 30 Iranian sailors” aboard the Iranian frigate Iris Dena as it was sinking Wednesday outside the island’s territorial waters.
He also told lawmakers that “30 injured sailors” were being taken to a hospital in the south of the island from the frigate, which he said “was sinking from dawn. ”
The statement marks the only official on-the-record briefing in the provided information and frames the rescue as an active maritime and air operation under Sri Lanka’s direction.
Quick context
The sinking involves an Iranian frigate identified as the Iris Dena and a crew of 180. The rescue described so far covers 30 sailors, all described as injured and en route to a southern hospital.
What’s next
In the hours ahead, the focus will remain on medical care for the injured and on further updates from official Sri Lankan institutions on the status of the remaining crew and the vessel. El-Balad. com will follow any additional statements from Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and other government bodies as the situation develops around sri lanka’s waters.
