This photo taken on March 4, 2026 shows ambulances at a naval base in Sri Lanka. At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources. Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources.

Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle.

The incident occurred outside Sri Lanka's territorial waters, according to the reports citing Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. ■

This photo taken on March 4, 2026 shows ambulances at a naval base in Sri Lanka. At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources.

Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 4, 2026 shows the hospital receiving wounded crew members on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in Galle, Sri Lanka. At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources.

Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

(260304) -- COLOMBO, March 4, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson speaks at a press conference held by the Sri Lankan Department of Government Information in Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 4, 2026. At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources.

Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle. (Sri Lankan Department of Government Information/Handout via Xinhua)

A wounded crew member on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena is transferred to a hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, March 4, 2026. At least 100 people were feared dead on board the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel sustained a possible submarine attack off the Sri Lankan coast on Wednesday morning, according to Sri Lankan navy sources.

Local media earlier reported that around 180 people were on board the frigate. Sri Lanka Navy launched rescue operations immediately after receiving a distress call reporting that the vessel was sinking. A total of 35 people from the frigate were rescued and transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in the southern city of Galle. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)