Sri Lanka coordinated the rescue of 40 Iranian sailors off its coast
Sri Lanka coordinated the rescue of 40 Iranian sailors from commercial ships in international waters and helped return them to Iran, foreign ministry spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo said Sunday. The Iranian embassy requested assistance through diplomatic channels after medical emergencies. The Business Standard reported the sailors came from 19 ships; Observerbd said the embassy would cover shore-transfer and medical-treatment costs.
More context
Sri Lanka coordinated the rescue of 40 Iranian sailors from commercial vessels in waters off its coast and helped arrange their return to Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said Sunday. Rodrigo said the operation followed a request from the Iranian embassy through diplomatic channels to assist sailors facing medical emergencies. The Business Standard reported that the sailors came from 19 ships. They were brought ashore at Galle Harbour on Saturday, treated and returned to Iran early Sunday, the outlet reported. The Associated Press reported that Rodrigo said he did not know which ships the sailors came from. According to AP, the Iranian embassy and local shipping agents arranged vessels to bring them ashore, while Sri Lankan authorities handled immigration and other administrative procedures. The embassy will cover the costs of transport and medical treatment, Rodrigo said, according to observerbd.com.
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Reporting
- Iran International — Sri Lanka rescues 40 Iranian sailors from stranded ships | Iran International
- The Times of Israel — Sri Lanka rescues 40 Iranian sailors, spokesman says
- The Business Standard — Sri Lanka rescues 40 Iranian sailors, spokesman says | The Business Standard
- Newsday — Sri Lanka provides medical help and repatriates 40 Iranian sailors stranded in the Indian Ocean - Newsday
- observerbd.com — Sri Lanka brings 40 sick Iranian sailors ashore for treatment
- freemalaysiatoday.com — Stranded Iranian sailors seek medical treatment in Sri Lanka
Verifier’s note
The results report that Sri Lankan authorities coordinated assistance for 40 Iranian sailors, consistent with the proposed event. They were published on October 25, 2026, so the event is current.