Press Information Bureau

A distress call from IRIS Dena was received at the MRCC Colombo in the early hours of 04 Mar 2026, as reported by the Sri Lanka Navy. The ship was operating 20 NM west of Galle in the SAR region under Sri Lanka’s responsibility.

On receipt of the information, the Indian Navy promptly launched its SAR efforts commencing with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hr on 04 March 26 to augment the search efforts led by Sri Lanka. Another aircraft with air droppable life rafts was also kept standby for immediate deployment. INS Tarangini which was operating in vicinity was deployed for aiding the rescue efforts and arrived in search area by 1600 hr on 04 Mar 2026. By this time SAR had been undertaken by Sri Lanka Navy and other agencies.

INS Ikshak has also sailed from Kochi to augment the search efforts and continues to remain in the area to search for missing personnel as a humanitarian measure for ship wrecked personnel. Coordination with the Sri Lanka side on Search and Rescue efforts is ongoing.

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