101 people missing after submarine attack on Iranian warship off Sri Lanka

At least 101 people are missing, and 78 are injured after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka, sources from the country’s navy and defence say.

The Sri Lankan navy has dispatched a rescue team after receiving distress calls from the Iranian ship, a defense Ministry Spokeperson said.

The ship a Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena, was on its return voyage to Iran after attending a naval engagement hosted by India when it reported the emergency. The ship reportedly carried around 180 crew members.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that the country's military has rescued 30 people from the sinking vessel in waters near the country.

He also said that Sri Lanka would take appropriate action.

Local media also reported that the distress signals were sent off about 40 nautical miles south of the coast of Galle and that the injured were admitted to hospitals in Galle.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson, Buddhika Sampath said,“We responded to the distress call under our international obligations as this falls within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Area in the Indian Ocean.”