Sri Lanka Transfers 204 Iranian Sailors After Ship Faces Engine Failure

The Sri Lankan Navy on Friday said it has safely transferred 204 out of 208 Iranian personnel from the vessel IRINS Bushehr to the port of Colombo after the ship developed an engine failure near Sri Lankan waters. Four sailors remain onboard the ship, which is expected to take at least two more days to reach the eastern port of Trincomalee.

Authorities stated that the sailors have been moved ashore as part of a humanitarian assistance operation . They will be taken to a naval camp in Welisara, a northern suburb of Colombo, where they will undergo medical examination and registration formalities . Officials emphasized that Sri Lanka acted in line with international maritime norms while maintaining neutrality amid ongoing regional tensions.

The vessel reportedly sought permission to enter Sri Lankan waters after experiencing technical difficulties. Earlier, Iran had requested port access for a goodwill visit, but the situation changed following the mechanical issues. Sri Lankan leaders clarified that the response was based on humanitarian grounds and not political alignment, reiterating that the country would maintain neutrality in the conflict environment.

The incident comes after reports that another Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena , was reportedly sunk following a military strike, leading to the recovery of over 80 bodies . Sri Lankan hospital authorities have highlighted serious challenges in handling the large number of recovered remains. The morgue capacity was reportedly insufficient to store the bodies, forcing temporary storage arrangements using makeshift preservation methods until repatriation decisions are finalized.

Authorities also face challenges in managing injured survivors , ensuring proper medical treatment, forensic identification, documentation, and coordination with Iranian officials for eventual repatriation. Officials stressed that every effort is being made to ensure dignified handling of the deceased and appropriate care for the injured while managing logistical constraints.

The situation remains under monitoring as authorities coordinate further steps regarding the vessel and personnel onboard.