March 4 - An attack by a submarine on an Iranian-flagged vessel off Sri Lanka's southern coast has resulted in significant casualties and confusion about the scale of the losses, according to officials and military sources. The incident, which ended with the vessel reported sunk, prompted an early-morning rescue response by Sri Lankan forces.
Sources within Sri Lanka's navy and defence ministry said the assault left at least 101 people missing, with one person confirmed dead and 78 others hurt. These figures were provided to reporters by unnamed officials who said they were not authorised to speak publicly.
At the same time, a spokesman for the Sri Lankan navy disputed some elements of those reports, saying the claim that 101 people were missing was inaccurate. That official stated that 32 injured individuals had been rescued by the navy and were receiving hospital treatment.
Sri Lanka's foreign minister addressed parliament earlier in the day, saying the navy had answered a distress call from the ship and begun rescue operations at 6:00 a.m. (1230 GMT). The minister did not provide further detail on the toll but said the military had rescued at least 30 people who had been on board and that appropriate action would be taken.
A navy source who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media described the situation as follows: 79 people had been rescued and taken to hospital, one of whom was seriously injured; another 101 were believed to be missing; and the vessel had sunk. That source also said one of those brought to the hospital had died.
Local media outlets reported the ship signalled it was in distress off the coast of Galle in southern Sri Lanka. The injured were reported to have been admitted to a hospital in the city as rescue teams continued operations.
It remained unclear who carried out the submarine attack. Sri Lankan authorities have launched search-and-rescue efforts and provided initial medical care to survivors, while government officials said they would pursue appropriate measures in response to the incident.
Context and next steps
Conflicting official accounts and incomplete information characterize the immediate aftermath. Sri Lankan rescue teams have been active since the early-morning distress call, and hospital sources in Galle have been reported to be treating those brought ashore. Further authoritative updates from Sri Lankan authorities would be required to reconcile differing casualty figures and to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack.