The Sri Lankan military announced today (Wednesday) that the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was attacked by a submarine off the coast of the island nation, resulting in at least 101 missing and 78 injured from a crew of 180.
The attacked ship is a Moudge-class frigate belonging to the Iranian navy’s southern fleet.
According to reports, the ship sent a distress call from an area near Sri Lanka’s territorial waters after sustaining heavy damage, reportedly from a submarine.
The Sri Lankan Navy dispatched rescue teams that evacuated dozens of injured personnel to local hospitals, while search efforts for the 101 missing continue in nearby shipping lanes.
The incident comes after several days of intensive U.S. attacks on Iranian vessels, as part of the American operation in Iran known as “Epic Fury."
There is currently no confirmation as to what nation may have sent the submarine, as both Israel and the USA use them.