Colombo, Sri Lanka – Tensions escalate in the Indian Ocean as a second Iranian warship approached Sri Lanka’s territorial waters on Thursday, a day after a US submarine torpedoed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors.
Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told parliament the vessel was just outside Sri Lankan waters, though further details were not disclosed. Officials said the ship carried over 100 crew members, raising fears of another deadly strike similar to Wednesday’s attack off Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
The sinking occurred amid a widening Middle East conflict sparked by a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, heightening international concern over the region’s stability.
Authorities in the southern port city of Galle prepared to hand over the remains of the 87 sailors. Meanwhile, 32 survivors received medical attention at the main hospital under tight security, including police and elite commandos.
“Most of them have minor injuries, but there were a few with fractures and burns,” a nurse at the hospital said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Sri Lankan navy continues to search for missing Iranian sailors, according to Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath, while Iran has yet to comment on the incident.
Sri Lanka has maintained a neutral stance, repeatedly urging dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully, as fears grow over potential further escalation in the region.
