SINGAPORE: Search and rescue efforts are under way for 10 missing sailors after a US warship collided with a merchant vessel east of Singapore on Monday morning.
The USS John S McCain, a guided-missile destroyer, collided with the Alnic MC, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement.
The accident was reported at 5.24am Singapore time as the US Navy ship was making its way to Singapore for a routine visit. Its home port is Yokosuka in Japan.
Singapore authorities are working with the US Navy to conduct search and rescue efforts after the warship suffered damage, said the 7th Fleet. Apart from the 10 missing sailors, five personnel are injured, said the Navy in an update.
"Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side aft," said the Navy. The ship is now sailing under its own power and heading to port, it said.
"In addition to tug boats out of Singapore, the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Gallant, RSN helicopters and Police Coast Guard vessel Basking Shark are currently in the area to render assistance," said the 7th Fleet.
US aircraft MV-22s and SH-60s from USS America have also been deployed.
Alnic MC has been listed on marine websites as a 30,040-tonne, 183m-long Liberian-flagged oil tanker. It was en route to Singapore from Pyeongtaek in South Korea.
The US Navy said the extent of damage to USS John S McCain and personnel injuries are being determined, and the incident will be investigated.
The accident comes two months after seven US sailors died when a US destroyer, USS Fitzgerald, collided with a Philippine-flagged cargo ship off the Japanese coast. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
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