Ships, aircraft and divers from an international search-and-rescue operation were still looking for 10 missing US sailors on Tuesday after a collision between a US warship and a merchant vessel in waters near Singapore and Malaysia.
The USS John S McCain and the tanker Alnic MC collided early on Monday while the guided-missile destroyer was nearing Singapore for a routine port call. The collision tore a hole in the warship’s port side at the waterline, flooding compartments that included a crew sleeping area.
The collision – the fourth major accident in the US Pacific fleet this year – prompted a fleet-wide investigation and plans for temporary halts in operations to focus on safety.
The US Navy said in a statement late on Monday that aircraft from the amphibious assault ship, the USS America, which was in port at Singapore's Changi Naval Base, would continue searching for the missing sailors.
They joined aircraft and vessels from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia already searching in the area.
US President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the Navy sailors, while assuring that rescue operations were underway.
The US Navy vessel is named after John S McCain Sr, and John S McCain Jr, both Admirals in the United States Navy.
Cindy & I are keeping America’s sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews (sic).US Republican Senator John McCain tweeted
Senator McCain is a Vietnam War-era naval aviator who was shot down and held prisoner for five-and-a-half years. He is now undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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