Iranian ship attacked by submarine off Sri Lanka coast; 101 reported missing

COLOMBO: An Iranian warship was attacked by a submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. According to reports, at least 101 people are missing. 78 persons were injured, and the condition of 32 of them is said to be serious. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 32 people have been rescued by the armed forces. One of the rescued persons is in critical condition. Dr Anil Jasinghe, a senior Health Ministry official, said that 7 people were given emergency treatment.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath informed the Parliament that the Navy received information that the ship IRIS Dena was sinking. There were 180 people aboard the ship. Upon receiving the information, the military immediately sent naval ships and Air Force rescue aircraft for rescue efforts. The injured people have been admitted to a hospital in Galle, which is about 115 kilometres south of Colombo. The Navy has launched a large-scale search operation in nearby areas to find those who are missing.