Sri Lanka Evacuates 208 Sailors From Iranian Navy Ship After Deadly US Submarine Strike Sinks IRIS Dena

Iranian Warship — Image Credits: Wikipedia

Sri Lanka has evacuated 208 crew members from an Iranian naval support vessel and taken control of the ship after a U.S. submarine sank another Iranian warship off the country’s southern coast, killing more than 80 sailors.

Authorities acted quickly after the second vessel requested emergency assistance, reporting engine trouble and fears it could become another target.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the navy evacuated the crew from the Iranian military support ship IRINS Bushehr.

Officials decided to move the vessel to the northeastern port of Trincomalee instead of allowing it to anchor near Colombo, one of the region’s busiest commercial ports.

The decision followed the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine about 40 nautical miles off the southern port city of Galle. The attack reportedly killed 84-87 sailors, while several others remain missing.

Sri Lankan authorities said 208 personnel were evacuated from the Bushehr, including, 53 officers, 84 cadets, 48 senior sailors and 23 sailors

The ship had requested permission to enter port after reporting engine problems, shortly after the sinking of the Iranian frigate in nearby waters.

Officials said the vessel was initially located within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but outside its territorial waters, near Colombo.

Authorities decided not to allow the ship to anchor at Colombo due to possible security risks and potential disruption to commercial shipping. Instead, the vessel will be escorted to Trincomalee, a smaller port considered better suited to handle the situation.

President Dissanayake said Sri Lanka’s decision was based on humanitarian concerns. He stated that the country is not taking sides in the conflict and is acting to save lives while maintaining neutrality.

The evacuation followed the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which had been returning from a multinational naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal hosted by India.

According to Sri Lankan officials, the navy received a distress signal at 5:08 a.m. local time on Wednesday from the ship located about 40 nautical miles off Galle.

Rescue teams arriving at the scene found oil slicks and life rafts, indicating the vessel had already sunk.

Sri Lankan authorities reported that 84-87 bodies were recovered from the sea, while 32 sailors were rescued, many of them suffering from burns and fractures. More than 10 sailors are still missing as search operations continue.

The survivors were transported to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, where they are being treated under tight security.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine fired a Mark 48 torpedo that struck the frigate, sending it to the seabed.

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— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) March 4, 2026

The Pentagon released periscope footage of the strike, describing the operation as a “fast attack” that neutralised the vessel.

Officials also noted that this was the first time a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship with a torpedo since World War II.

Sri Lankan naval and coast guard teams continue search operations for missing sailors near the sinking site.

Recovered bodies were transported to Galle, where authorities began formal inquests into the deaths. However, the local morgue can hold only about 25 bodies, forcing officials to deploy refrigerated shipping containers to preserve the remains.

Iran has requested Sri Lanka’s assistance in repatriating the bodies once legal procedures are completed.

Medical staff said most of the injured sailors suffered minor injuries, though several had fractures and burns.

The incident has placed Sri Lanka in a sensitive geopolitical position as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran spread beyond the Middle East.

Colombo has repeatedly stated that it remains neutral and is focused on humanitarian assistance and maritime safety.

Sri Lankan officials also confirmed that Iran had earlier requested permission for three naval vessels to visit Sri Lankan ports from March 9 for a four-day stay, but discussions were still ongoing when the attack on the Dena occurred.

References: Theguardian, FoxNews

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