The Sri Lanka Navy says 35 individuals have been rescued from an Iranian vessel in distress off Sri Lanka’s southern seas.
The Ministry of Defence stated that arrangements have been made to transport the rescued individuals to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
Additionally, the Sri Lanka Air Force has deployed an aircraft to the area to assist with ongoing search operations.
Speaking in Parliament today (04), Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath noted that the vessel was not within Sri Lankan territorial waters at the time of the incident. He confirmed that rescue operations were immediately launched after the Navy received a distress call indicating that the vessel was sinking.
Earlier, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched vessels to a location approximately 40 nautical miles off the Galle Harbour following the emergency alert. The vessel is reportedly affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy.
The Defence Ministry stated that necessary measures are being taken in connection with the incident, while search and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
