Galle, Sri Lanka. An Iranian ship sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast after a reported submarine attack, Sri Lankan navy and defence ministry sources told Reuters, with at least one death reported and accounts differing on the number of missing and injured.
Incident and conflicting casualty reports
Sources in Sri Lanka’s navy and defence ministry said at least 101 people were missing, one person was dead and 78 were injured. It was unclear who attacked the ship, which the sources said had sunk.
A Sri Lankan navy spokesman disputed the report that 101 people were missing, saying 32 injured people had been rescued by the navy and were receiving hospital treatment.
Rescue operations
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that the navy responded to a distress call from the ship and launched rescue operations at 6:00 a.m. (1230 GMT).
A Sri Lankan navy source, who declined to be named, said 79 people were rescued and taken to hospital, with one seriously injured, while another 101 were believed to be missing and the vessel had sunk. The sources also said one of those brought to the hospital had died.
Herath did not provide further details in parliament but said the military had rescued at least 30 people who were on board and that Sri Lanka would take appropriate action.
Location and hospitalisation
Local media reported the ship signalled it was in distress off the coast of Galle, and that injured people were admitted to a hospital in the city.
What information do you think is still needed to clarify the conflicting reports on the number of missing and rescued?