A second Iranian warship is approaching Sri Lanka. This comes a day after a United States submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankan authorities said the vessel is currently outside the country’s territorial waters. The ship has requested permission to enter for safety. The development has raised concerns in the region. Naval activity in the Indian Ocean has also increased.
Second Iranian Warship Near Sri Lanka
According to reports, the Iranian warship is carrying more than 100 crew members. Those on board are believed to be concerned that they could face the same fate as another Iranian vessel that was destroyed earlier this week.
Officials in Sri Lanka stated that the ship remains outside the country’s territorial waters for now. Discussions are ongoing among senior authorities about whether the vessel should be allowed to enter Sri Lankan waters.
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The request reportedly came after the earlier attack that sank an Iranian frigate south of Sri Lanka. The destroyed vessel had been operating in the Indian Ocean when it was struck by a torpedo fired from a US submarine.
Sri Lanka has not yet announced a final decision regarding the Iranian ship’s request. The issue is being handled carefully because the country has traditionally maintained a neutral stance in international conflicts. Government officials are assessing security concerns, diplomatic considerations, and humanitarian factors related to the crew members aboard the warship.
Aftermath of the Torpedo Strike Near Galle
The earlier attack took place roughly 40 kilometres south of the coastal city of Galle. In that incident, a US submarine launched a torpedo that destroyed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena.
The explosion caused severe damage to the Iranian warship, which sank shortly after the strike. At least 87 sailors were killed in the attack, making it one of the most dramatic naval incidents reported in the region in recent years.
Local authorities in Sri Lanka have been involved in rescue and recovery operations since the attack occurred. Naval ships and emergency teams were sent to the area after the Iranian warship issued a distress call early Wednesday morning.
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However, by the time Sri Lankan rescue teams reached the location, the frigate had already sunk. Search teams later recovered survivors and the bodies of several sailors from the water.
Officials in the port city of Galle said preparations were being made to hand over the remains of the 87 sailors who died in the strike. The process is being handled with strict procedures and coordination between authorities. Rescue teams also continue to search the surrounding waters for any sailors who may still be missing.
Injured Sailors Treated Under Tight Security
Several Iranian sailors who survived the naval attack have been taken to hospitals in southern Sri Lanka for medical treatment. Hospital officials confirmed that dozens of injured crew members are currently receiving care after being rescued from the waters following the sinking of the Iranian frigate.
According to medical sources, 32 rescued sailors remain under treatment in a special ward set up exclusively for them. Security around the hospital has been tightened, with police officers and elite commandos guarding the area to ensure safety.
The hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit has been temporarily closed to visitors and other patients while the injured sailors receive care. Authorities said this step was taken to protect the patients and allow doctors to treat them without disruptions.
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Medical staff said most of the sailors suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruises. However, a few crew members experienced more serious injuries such as fractures and burns caused by the powerful explosion that destroyed the ship.
At the same time, Sri Lanka’s navy continues search operations in the waters where the frigate sank. Naval ships and rescue teams are scanning the area for any missing sailors after the vessel issued a distress call shortly before it went down during its return journey from Visakhapatnam.
