COLOMBO – The remains of 84 Iranian sailors slain in a U.S. submarine torpedo attack on warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka’s coast last week will fly home on a special flight from Mattala International Airport, Sri Lankan media reported Friday, citing the defense ministry.
The IRIS Dena sank on March 4 while returning from naval exercises in India amid the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Two companion vessels sought refuge: IRIS Lavan docked in India with 183 crew, and IRIS Booshehr in Sri Lanka with 208 aboard. Of the Dena’s crew, 32 survivors remain in Sri Lanka alongside the Booshehr group.
A Galle court this week authorized release of the bodies from the National Hospital morgue to Iran’s embassy. An embassy source told Reuters: “Arrangements are being made to transport the bodies from the hospital to Mattala airport,” declining further details on the March 13 departure.
The coffins were convoyed by truck through Galle under police escort, as the Sri Lankan navy confirmed no involvement in logistics. Health, foreign, and defense ministries ignored Reuters requests for comment.
The flight will detour to India, where an official said it will collect IRIS Lavan’s crew and stranded Iranian tourists. India’s foreign ministry did not respond to queries, and landing details stay unclear. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry coordinates with Iran’s Colombo embassy, which consults Tehran on the crews. Reuters revealed last week that Washington urged Colombo against repatriating survivors from the docked ships.