Sri Lanka Steps In as Iranian Tanker Crew Fall Sick Off Coast

Sri Lankan authorities have extended medical support to sailors who fell ill on Iranian oil tankers anchored near the country's maritime border, officials announced on Sunday. Roughly 27 crew members were involved.

According to local media reports, the sick sailors were brought ashore on Saturday via the port of Galle, located about 115 kilometres south of Colombo. They were subsequently moved to a private hospital in Colombo for further care.

The Southern Province's Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police office reported that the 27 crew members on Iranian crude oil tankers off the southern coast had become unwell. They were evacuated from the vessels on Saturday afternoon.

After the Foreign Ministry became involved, the Sri Lankan Navy deployed two boats to carry the ailing sailors to Galle port, where arrangements were made for their admission to hospital.

The development takes place as Iranian oil trade and associated sea transport continue to face international scrutiny linked to US sanctions. Sri Lanka has framed its response as a humanitarian duty.

Iran had earlier declined to aid tankers and other ships stranded in international waters, citing the threat of US 'secondary sanctions'. About a dozen empty Iranian tankers are reportedly anchored near Galle.

Background to the situation includes the March sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena by a US submarine in international waters, an attack that killed 104 sailors. Sri Lanka's navy had rescued 32 Iranian sailors from the vessel.

Separately, another Iranian naval ship arrived at the Trincomalee port on the island's north-east coast seeking secure shelter.