An Iranian naval frigate, the IRIS Dena, was reportedly sunk after a submarine attack off the southern coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday. At least 101 people are missing and 78 wounded, including 32 seriously, after the attack, according to news agency Reuters.
The IRIS Dena is a Moudge-class frigate, which was returning to Iran after participating in the MILAN 2026 multinational naval exercises in Visakhapatnam, India.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said that the military had rescued 32 people on board the sinking Iranian ship. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, a top health ministry official, says one of them is in critical condition, seven are receiving emergency treatment and others are being treated for minor injuries.
“What we know at this point is that 79 people were rescued and brought to the hospital and one of them was seriously injured. Another 101 are believed to be missing and the vessel has sunk,” a Sri Lankan navy source told Reuters.
The sources also said that one of the people brought to the hospital had died.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that Sri Lanka’s navy received information that the ship IRIS Dena, with 180 onboard, was under distress, and that the island nation sent ships and air force planes on a rescue mission.
On the fifth day of the war, the US and Israel hit Tehran and other cities with multiple airstrikes. Israel targeted the Iranian leadership and security forces as the Islamic Republic responded with missile barrages and drone attacks on Israel and across the region.