Healthcare workers treat critically wounded crew members rescued from the stricken warship. PICS/AFP
The US Department of Defense released what it described as periscope footage showing a US Navy submarine firing a torpedo at the Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean
At 5:08 am, Sri Lanka received an emergency signal from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, located about 40 nautical miles south of Galle, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine sank the vessel, calling it the first US torpedo sinking of an enemy ship since World War II
Naval personnel pulled survivors from the sea, eventually rescuing 32 critically wounded sailors from among an estimated 180 crew members onboard. The rescued sailors, still in naval uniform, were brought to the Sri Lanka Navy’s Southern Command headquarters in Galle before being transferred for medical care
Ambulances arrive at the Sri Lanka Navy’s Southern Command headquarters in Galle, transporting survivors who were first brought ashore following the dramatic sea rescue operation
Medical staff carry the bodies of Iranian sailors recovered near the site of the sinking, as authorities warn that nearly 150 crew members remain missing with fading hopes of survival
Sri Lankan Special Task Force commandos and police stand guard outside Karapitiya Hospital, where 32 rescued Iranian sailors were admitted amid heightened security
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath said bodies had been found near the distress location but it was “difficult to give any numbers” as search efforts continued.
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