Sri Lankan authorities provided emergency assistance and repatriated 40 Iranian sailors who were anchored off the island’s southern coast, officials said Sunday. The group, from oil tankers stationed near Sri Lanka, was brought ashore at the port of Galle on Saturday following a distress call that sought medical aid.

Thushara Rodrigo, a government spokesman, reported that the sailors were transferred to shore with the help of vessels coordinated by the Iranian Embassy and local shipping agents. After receiving initial medical treatment in Sri Lanka, the sailors departed for Tehran early Sunday.

The Iranian oil tankers have remained anchored near Sri Lanka for several months amid heightened tensions in the region, coinciding with the United States’ renewed naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. The blockade has contributed to operational challenges and delays for vessels navigating the area.

Sri Lanka’s swift response to the distress call highlights the country’s role in maritime safety and humanitarian assistance within its territorial waters. Authorities have not provided detailed information on the nature of the sailors’ medical conditions or the specific circumstances leading to the distress call.