Repatriation Of Fallen IRIS Dena Sailors Begins Following Indian-Led Diplomatic Mission | Exclusive

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 22:55 IST

The repatriation process began in Sri Lanka, where the chartered flight first landed to collect the mortal remains of Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena

In a significant humanitarian and diplomatic mission, an Iranian chartered aircraft facilitated by the Indian government has successfully coordinated the repatriation of sailors and civilians caught in the fallout of the West Asia conflict. The mission, which spanned two South Asian nations, marks a critical step in the de-escalation of the naval crisis in the Indian Ocean.

The repatriation process began in Sri Lanka, where the chartered flight first landed to collect the mortal remains of Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena, CNN-News18 has learnt. The frigate was tragically sunk on March 4 by a US submarine torpedo approximately 19 nautical miles off the coast of Galle.

Of the crew on board, 84 sailors were confirmed dead. Following a ruling by the Galle Chief Magistrate’s Court, the bodies—which had been kept at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital—were handed over to Iranian officials. The aircraft collected the remains at Mattala International Airport before proceeding to the next phase of the mission in India.

The flight subsequently landed at the Cochin International Airport in Kochi, Kerala. Here, it boarded 183 crew members and cadets from the IRIS Lavan, an Iranian landing ship that had been granted safe harbour by India on “humane grounds" since early March.

While the IRIS Lavan had sought refuge due to technical issues, its crew remained under the protection of Indian naval facilities in Kochi. The chartered flight also took on board several other Iranian nationals who had been stranded in the region due to the sudden closure of airspaces and the escalation of military hostilities.

The smooth execution of this mission underscores India’s unique position as a neutral mediator in the ongoing conflict. By facilitating the Iranian chartered flight, New Delhi has balanced its strategic interests with international humanitarian obligations.

The aircraft is now en route to Tehran, carrying both the survivors and the fallen back to Iranian soil. This coordinated effort between Colombo, New Delhi, and Tehran is seen as a vital “de-stressing" move for the region, even as global eyes remain fixed on the volatile maritime corridors of the Indian Ocean.

News world Repatriation Of Fallen IRIS Dena Sailors Begins Following Indian-Led Diplomatic Mission | Exclusive

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