At least 150 people were missing and several were confirmed dead after an Iranian warship sank off Sri Lanka Wednesday following an explosion reported by crew members, officials said.
Sri Lanka's navy rescued 32 sailors from the frigate IRIS Dena, but hopes were fading for 148 other sailors, the island's foreign minister and defense officials said.
The source was unclear about the reported explosion involving the frigate, which was travelling after reportedly attending a military exercise in India's eastern port of Visakhapatnam.
This sinking comes as war has broken out in the Middle East, after Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that 32 rescued Iranians were rushed to the main hospital in the island's south, while two navy craft and a plane were deployed to search for survivors.
