The Digester

A U.S. submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka, sinking the ship and leaving rescue largely to Sri Lankan authorities, and legal scholars say the submarine’s failure to assist survivors may have violated the Geneva Conventions.

A U.S. submarine fired a torpedo that sank the 312-foot Iranian frigate Dena about 20 miles off Sri Lanka after the ship left a multinational naval exercise.
The Dena had about 130 crew onboard, Sri Lankan rescuers recovered survivors and at least 87 people have been reported dead so far.
Legal experts say the Geneva Conventions require parties to take all possible measures to search for and collect shipwrecked sailors and that failing to do so can amount to a war crime.
U.S. officials declined to discuss operational details and the Navy handbook allows exceptions when military exigencies make rescue impossible.
Critics warn that disregarding rescue obligations could endanger U.S. service members by inviting reciprocal mistreatment in future conflicts.

U.S. sinks Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka; experts say rescue rules may have been breached

Sources