Sri Lanka begins repatriating bodies of Iranian sailors killed in IRIS Dena submarine attack

Sri Lanka has begun repatriating the bodies of Iranian sailors who were killed when the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine near the island nation earlier this month, a development that underscores how the ongoing Middle East conflict has expanded into the Indian Ocean region.

According to officials, the remains of 84 Iranian sailors recovered after the attack are being handed over to Iranian authorities for transport back to Iran. The repatriation follows a Sri Lankan court order directing authorities to release the bodies to the Iranian embassy in Colombo.

The Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which carried roughly 180 crew members, was torpedoed on March 4 off the southern coast of Sri Lanka while sailing in international waters. The incident marked a major escalation in the broader war involving Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

Sri Lankan naval forces launched rescue operations after receiving a distress call from the vessel. Officials said 32 sailors were rescued, while dozens were killed and others remain missing following the sinking of the frigate.

The repatriation process is being coordinated between Sri Lankan authorities and the Iranian embassy in Colombo, with Iranian chartered aircraft transporting the bodies from Mattala International Airport back to Iran. The remains are being flown out in batches as administrative and legal procedures are completed.

The attack on the IRIS Dena has drawn global attention because it is believed to be the first time since World War II that a US submarine sank an enemy warship with a torpedo, highlighting the intensity of the current conflict.

The incident also triggered a broader diplomatic and humanitarian situation in the region. Another Iranian naval vessel accompanying the Dena, IRIS Bushehr, was later taken under Sri Lankan custody after reporting mechanical trouble, and its crew members are currently being housed at Sri Lankan naval facilities.

The sinking of the Iranian warship close to Sri Lanka has raised concerns among regional governments, including India, as the conflict between Iran and its adversaries increasingly affects shipping routes and security in the wider Indian Ocean.

Authorities in Sri Lanka say the repatriation of the sailors’ bodies is being carried out on humanitarian grounds, while the country continues to maintain neutrality amid growing tensions in the region.