US Navy ship collides with oil tanker off Singapore

Ten sailors are missing and five injured after a US destroyer collided with an oil tanker off the coast of Singapore, the US Navy says.

The USS John McCain was sailing east of Singapore and preparing to stop in the port when it struck the Liberian-flagged vessel.

A wide-ranging search and rescue operation is under way.

It is the second serious collision involving a US Navy ship in recent months.

The collision, which was reported at 05:24 local time on Monday (21:24 GMT on Sunday), happened as the USS John McCain prepared to perform a routine port stop.

Initial reports indicated that the ship had "sustained damage" to its port side, but the US Navy said it was now sailing under its own power and heading to Singapore's port,

US military helicopters as well as the Singapore navy and coast guard are conducting search and rescue efforts. Malaysia has also joined in the rescue effort.

 

 

Photo by: US NAVY Caption: The USS John McCain was performing a routine stop when it struck an oil tanker