The guided-missile destroyer USS John McCain (named for the current Senator’s father and grandfather) has collided with an oil tanker near the cost of Singapore.
The ship sustained heavy damage which has resulted in the injuries of 5 US sailors. Currently, 10 US sailors are missing.
The United States Navy has issued the following statement about the crash:
#BREAKING: Update 2 on #USSJohnSMcCain collission. 10 Sailors missing, 5 injured. More to follow – https://t.co/ZVeM6KGdDT Via @US7thFleet pic.twitter.com/hteCf5Ijs0
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) August 21, 2017
The USS John McCain had previously run into trouble when it violated Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea while heading towards Korean waters during the height of recent tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight – appreciate the work of search & rescue crews https://t.co/jzk9giXbfg
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 21, 2017
READ MORE: USS John McCain violates Chinese sovereignty in South China Sea
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore,
““There is no report of oil pollution and traffic in the Singapore Strait is unaffected”.
Donald Trump has issued the following statement about the incident.
Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway. https://t.co/DQU0zTRXNU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017
Singapore has confirmed that it is assisting the US with search and rescue efforts.
This is the third US ship to be involved in a major collision in Asian waters in three months. On 17 June the USS Fitzgerald destroyer collided with a container ship from Philippines off the coast of Japan, an incident which killed seven men, while in May of this year the USS Lake Champlain crashed into a South Korean fishing boat.
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