Sri Lanka Returns Bodies of 84 Iranian Sailors Post US Attack
Synopsis
Sri Lanka repatriates the remains of 84 Iranian sailors who died in a recent US military strike on their warship. This significant event underscores international tensions and the complexities surrounding maritime security in the region.
Key Takeaways
84 Iranian sailors' bodies repatriated following US military strike.
The incident occurred on March 4 near Sri Lanka's maritime boundary.
Response from Sri Lanka indicates lack of prior notification about the attack.
32 survivors were rescued, with some still receiving treatment.
This marks a significant moment in international maritime relations .
Colombo, March 13 (NationPress) The remains of 84 identified Iranian sailors, who tragically lost their lives in the March 4 US assault on the warship IRIS Dena near the coast of Sri Lanka, have been returned to Iran, as confirmed by the Defence Ministry of Sri Lanka on Friday.
The remains are being transported back to Iran on a special flight that took off Friday afternoon from Mattala International Airport, located in the country’s Southern Province.
On March 11, Galle Chief Magistrate Sameera Dodangoda instructed that the bodies, which had been preserved in two mobile cold storage units at the Galle National Hospital, be surrendered to representatives from the Iranian embassy in Sri Lanka, according to the ministry's announcement.
The magistrate also directed the hospital director to release the remains following a formal request submitted to the Galle Magistrate's Court by the Galle Harbor Police, the ministry added.
In a statement, the Iranian Army’s public relations office declared that the bodies of the sailors would soon be brought home through collaborative efforts of Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan government, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Earlier this week, Sri Lanka disclosed that it had not been notified in advance about the US strike on the Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, which occurred in waters adjacent to the island nation's maritime boundary.
During a weekly cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Lankan Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Sri Lankan Navy acted promptly once they were apprised of the incident.
Jayatissa indicated that he was unaware of who initially alerted Sri Lankan authorities regarding the situation.
He reported that 32 individuals were rescued alive, with 10 still undergoing treatment. A total of 87 bodies were retrieved during the search operations.
On March 4, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked that a US submarine had sunk the Iranian warship in international waters.
"An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that believed it was secure in international waters," Hegseth stated during a Pentagon briefing. "Instead, it was destroyed by a torpedo."
He further noted that this incident marked the first sinking of an enemy vessel by a torpedo since World War II.
The Iranian warship had participated in a naval exercise conducted in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25, according to the drill's official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What incident led to the repatriation of Iranian sailors' bodies?
The bodies were repatriated following a US military attack on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena on March 4.
How many sailors' bodies were returned to Iran?
A total of 84 identified Iranian sailors' bodies were repatriated.
What was the response from Sri Lanka regarding the US attack?
Sri Lanka stated that it was not informed in advance about the US strike on the IRIS Dena.
How were the bodies preserved before repatriation?
The bodies were kept in two mobile cold storage units at the Galle National Hospital.
What did the Iranian Army state about the repatriation?
The Iranian Army confirmed that the sailors' bodies would be returned through efforts coordinated with Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan government.
