A second Iranian warship is approaching Sri Lanka after a US submarine sank a frigate, killing 87 sailors, as regional conflict escalates.

GALLE: A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka’s territorial waters on Thursday.

This follows a US submarine destroying an Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka’s southern coast a day earlier, killing at least 87 sailors.

Media minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed the second warship was just outside Sri Lankan waters.

Official sources said the vessel carries over 100 crew, with fears it could also be targeted.

The sinking is part of a widening war sparked by a joint US-Israel attack on Iran.

Authorities in Galle are preparing to hand over the remains of the 87 killed sailors.

Thirty-two rescued Iranians are being treated at Galle’s main hospital under tight security.

A nurse said most have minor injuries, but some suffered fractures and burns.

Sri Lankan navy vessels continue searching for missing Iranian sailors, according to navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath.

Iran has not yet commented on the sinking of its frigate.

Sri Lanka has remained neutral and repeatedly urged dialogue to resolve the Middle East conflict.

 The Sun Malaysia