Sinking of Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka is Suspected to be Due to Bombing

SadaNews - Sri Lanka rescued 30 sailors who were on board the Iranian frigate "Aeris Dina" that sank on Wednesday off the island's territorial waters, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

No information has yet been released regarding the cause of the ship's sinking, but the Sri Lankan minister stated in parliament that the injured sailors were transferred to a hospital in the south of the island.

A distress call was made by the frigate, which has a crew of 180, at dawn.

Herath confirmed that two Sri Lankan naval vessels and an aircraft were sent to conduct the rescue operation, but he did not clarify the reason for the sinking of the Iranian warship.

An opposition MP in parliament asked whether the vessel had been bombed amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, but the government has not yet replied to the question.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddima Sampath stated that the operation conducted aligns with Sri Lanka's maritime commitments.

He affirmed, "We responded to the distress call in accordance with our international obligations as the area is within our search and rescue region in the Indian Ocean."

Local officials reported that the main hospital in Galle, located about 115 kilometers south of the capital, has been put on alert to receive the evacuated sailors.