Navy vessel accident: One sailor missing off Moratuwa coast

A Sri Lankan Navy fast attack craft (FAC) met with an accident about 3 kilometers off the Angulana coast in Moratuwa, resulting in one naval officer going missing. The vessel was carrying twelve naval personnel when the incident occurred during their return journey to Colombo after a patrol.

Local residents who observed smoke rising from the sea quickly alerted the Angulana police. Fishermen from the area immediately launched their boats to assist, reaching the scene before official rescue teams arrived. They reported seeing naval personnel in life jackets floating on the water.

Emergency services, including the Angulana police, the Navy, and the Air Force, swiftly initiated rescue operations. With the support of the local fishing community and residents, 11 out of the 12 sailors were successfully rescued. Eight of the rescued sailors are currently receiving treatment at the Lunawa, Kotelawala Defence University Hospital, and Kalubowila Hospital.

The Navy has deployed two helicopters, an Mi-17 and a Bell 412, to continue the search for the missing sailor. The cause of the accident is under investigation.