More than 100 people are missing following a reported submarine attack on an Iranian naval vessel off Sri Lanka’s coast, according to international media reports and official sources.

At least 101 people were unaccounted for and 78 others wounded after the incident just outside the island’s territorial waters on today, sources in Sri Lanka’s navy and defence ministry told Reuters. 

However, a navy spokesperson disputed those casualty figures, while confirming that 32 injured individuals have been rescued and are receiving treatment in hospital.

Addressing parliament, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the country’s military had rescued 32 “critically wounded” sailors from the stricken Iranian frigate, identified as the Iris Dena, reports The Independent. 

He said Sri Lanka’s navy received information that the vessel, carrying 180 people, was in distress. In response, the island nation dispatched naval ships and air force aircraft on a rescue mission.

Dr Anil Jasinghe, a health ministry official, also confirmed that 32 people had been admitted to hospital after being rescued from the sinking Iranian naval ship. He said one of the injured is in critical condition, seven are receiving emergency treatment, and the remainder are being treated for minor injuries.

There were no immediate details on how the sailors were wounded or the extent of the damage sustained by the vessel.

Local media reported that the ship sent out a distress signal off the coast of Galle in southern Sri Lanka, and that the injured were admitted to a hospital in the city.

Images circulating in local media showed security personnel standing guard outside the National Hospital in Galle, while ambulances were seen entering Sri Lanka’s southern naval headquarters in the city.