India launched a search and rescue operation after an Iranian naval vessel sent a distress signal from the Indian Ocean following an attack that caused the ship to sink near Sri Lanka. The Indian Navy confirmed that it responded immediately to the emergency call and dispatched assets to assist with rescue efforts.
The distress message was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo early on March 4. The Iranian frigate, identified as IRIS Dena, was located west of Galle in waters falling within Sri Lanka’s search-and-rescue region when the incident occurred.
Reports indicate that the vessel sank after being struck by a torpedo during escalating military tensions in the region. Sri Lankan and Indian authorities coordinated rescue operations, while naval and air assets were deployed to locate survivors and provide assistance.
The incident has drawn international attention as it occurred close to the Indian Ocean sea lanes and has raised concerns about the widening impact of ongoing geopolitical conflict in the region.
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