Sunday, August 20, 2017

USS John McCain, merchant ship collide in waters near Singapore; search-and-rescue efforts underway

 
 
 
A U.S.Navy guided-missile destroyer and a merchant ship have collided in waters near Singapore, prompting a search-and-rescue operation and leaving the warship damaged, Pentagon officials said Sunday.

The number of possible injuries was unclear.

At the time of the incident, reported at 6:24 a.m. Saturday local time, the USS John S McCain was underway in the Strait of Malacca. The body of water separates the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

"Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side aft," the Navy's Seventh Fleet said in a statement.

Sen. John McCain reacted to news of the collision involving the vessel that is the namesake of his father and grandfather, both of whom were Navy admirals.

"Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews," McCain said on Tweeted.

Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, tweeted: "Our first priority is determining the safety of the ship and crew. As more information is learned, we will share it."

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