WANA (Apr 17) – Sri Lankan authorities announced that 238 Iranian sailors, including 32 survivors of the attack on the destroyer “Dena,” have been returned to Iran.

 

According to a spokesperson for Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense, the majority of the crew were repatriated earlier this week, while a small number of sailors from a second accompanying vessel— which docked in the country later—were transferred in subsequent stages.

 

The Iranian destroyer “Dena” was struck by torpedoes from a U.S. submarine on March 4 while returning from a naval exercise and subsequently sank. Following the incident, the Sri Lankan Navy recovered 87 bodies, and 32 injured sailors were treated in local hospitals.

 

According to accounts from some of the survivors, a second torpedo hit the evacuation area as the crew was abandoning the vessel. They reported remaining in the water for approximately 10 hours before rescue teams arrived.

 

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the bodies of 20 of those killed in the incident are still missing. The घटना has been described as one of the most tragic naval incidents in recent years for Iran’s navy.

 

The “Dena,” which joined Iran’s naval fleet in 2021, was considered one of its more advanced vessels and had previously taken part in maritime missions and international exercises.

Bodies of 84 Victims from Iranian Warship Dena Returned to Iran. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Bodies of 84 Victims from Iranian Warship Dena Returned to Iran. Social Media / WANA News Agency