An attack on an Iran ship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka has triggered a major rescue operation, with conflicting reports emerging over how many people remain missing, injured or rescued. According to Reuters, Sri Lankan navy and defence sources said at least 101 people were unaccounted for, one person had died and dozens were injured after the vessel sank.
Officials said it was still unclear who carried out the attack. The ship has since gone down, adding urgency to search and rescue efforts in the waters off southern Sri Lanka.
Dispute Over Missing-Person Count
A Sri Lankan navy spokesman challenged the report that 101 people were missing. He said that figure was not accurate and stated that 32 injured people had instead been rescued by the navy and taken to hospital for treatment.
However, a separate Sri Lankan navy source, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the situation appeared more serious. According to that source, 79 people had been rescued and taken to hospital, while another 101 were believed to still be missing. The same source said one of those brought ashore later died.
These conflicting accounts have left the full scale of the incident unclear as authorities continue gathering information.
Sri Lanka Says Navy Responded to Distress Call
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, told parliament that the navy responded after receiving a distress signal from the ship and launched a rescue mission at around 6:00 a.m. local time.
While he did not provide a full breakdown of casualties or those missing, he said the military had rescued at least 30 people who were on board and added that Sri Lanka would take appropriate action in response to the incident.
Injured Brought to Hospital in Galle
Local media reports said the vessel had signalled distress off the coast of Galle in southern Sri Lanka. Those who were injured were reportedly taken to a hospital in Galle for treatment.
Reuters’ reporting also noted that multiple injured survivors were receiving medical care, though the exact total remains disputed because of differing official statements.
Uncertainty Continues as Authorities Assess the Damage
At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the attack remain uncertain, including who was responsible. What is clear is that the vessel sank after the incident and that Sri Lankan authorities mounted an emergency response.
With casualty numbers still inconsistent across official and unofficial statements, the final toll may change as rescue efforts and investigations continue.