Indian Navy joins Sri Lanka-led search and rescue after Iranian warship IRIS Dena sinks off Galle
The Indian Navy launched search-and-rescue efforts on 4 March 2026 after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sent a distress call about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, Sri Lanka, in Sri Lanka's search-and-rescue region.
Summary
The Indian Navy joined a Sri Lanka-led search-and-rescue (SAR) effort on 4 March 2026 after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, Sri Lanka. According to the Ministry of Defence, the distress call was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo in the early hours of 4 March, in the SAR region under Sri Lanka's responsibility. The Navy launched a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hrs, kept a second aircraft with air-droppable life rafts on standby, and diverted INS Tarangini, which reached the area by 1600 hrs; INS Ikshak sailed from Kochi to search for missing personnel. AP and BBC reported that a torpedo fired by a US submarine sank the ship, and AP reported that the Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 people and recovered 87 bodies. BBC noted that the ship had recently taken part in International Fleet Review 2026, an exercise hosted by India.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 4 March 2026, about 20 NM west of Galle, Sri Lanka
- Ship
- IRIS Dena (Iranian Navy)
- Distress call
- Received at MRCC Colombo; Sri Lanka's SAR region
- Indian assets
- Long-range maritime patrol aircraft (1000 hrs); INS Tarangini (on scene 1600 hrs); INS Ikshak from Kochi
- Toll (AP)
- 32 rescued, 87 bodies recovered by Sri Lanka Navy
- Cause (AP, BBC)
- Torpedo fired by a US submarine
- Link to India
- Had taken part in International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by India (BBC)
Practice MCQs 5 questions
The Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank on 4 March 2026 off which coastal town?
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Correct answer: D â Galle, Sri Lanka
According to the Ministry of Defence, the ship was operating about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, Sri Lanka.
Where was the distress call from IRIS Dena received on 4 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D â MRCC Colombo
The distress call was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, as reported by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Which Indian Navy ship, operating nearby, reached the IRIS Dena search area by 1600 hrs on 4 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D â INS Tarangini
INS Tarangini was deployed to aid the rescue effort and arrived in the search area by 1600 hrs; INS Ikshak later sailed from Kochi.
According to AP, how many people did the Sri Lanka Navy rescue after IRIS Dena sank?
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Correct answer: B â 32
AP reported that the Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 people and recovered 87 bodies.
Consider the following statements about the IRIS Dena incident of 4 March 2026: 1. The ship was in the search-and-rescue region under India's responsibility when it sent the distress call. 2. The ship had recently taken part in International Fleet Review 2026, an exercise hosted by India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B â 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The Ministry of Defence said the ship was in the SAR region under Sri Lanka's responsibility, so Sri Lanka led the search; BBC reported its participation in International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by India.