The Sri Lankan rescue forces managed to free only 30 people from the sinking vessel, which had a crew of approximately 180 people on board. The incident took place thousands of kilometers from the main scene of the fighting.
At least 101 people are missing and 78 others have been injured after a submarine attacked an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka, sources from the country’s defense ministry told Reuters on Wednesday, writes TASR.
- 101 people disappeared when a submarine attacked an Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka.
- Around 78 people were injured.
- Thirty-two seriously injured sailors were taken to a hospital in the south of the island.
- In front of the hospital in the city of Galle, the Sri Lankan police have significantly increased security measures.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister previously announced according to the AFP agency that the military had rescued at least 30 people from the sinking ship. The crew of the frigate consisted of approximately 180 people.
The injured crew members were taken to the hospital
The Sri Lankan Navy sent a rescue mission to the sinking ship after a distress call. Thirty-two “seriously injured” crew members of the IRIS Dena frigate were taken to a hospital in the south of the island. The head of Sri Lankan diplomacy, Vijitha Herath, did not immediately provide more information on the incident.
Herath said Sri Lankan ships and aircraft were assisting with the mission. However, neither the Navy nor the Air Force will provide any footage from the scene, as the operations involve the military of another country. The police in front of the Galle Hospital, where the crew of the ship was transferred, strengthened the security measures.
