The USS John McCain was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel on Monday morning, the Navy has said.
The collision between the US guided-missile destroyer and merchant vessel Alnic MC was reported at 6.24am Japan Standard Time.
The John McCain was underway east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca, on its way to a routine port visit in Singapore.
The USS John McCain (pictured in June) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel on Monday morning, the Navy has said
‘Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side aft,’ a news release from the Navy said.
Search and rescue efforts are underway in coordination with local authorities.
Republican Arizona senator John McCain tweeted about the incident, saying: ‘Cindy & I are keeping America’s sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight – appreciate the work of search & rescue crews’.
On June 17, the warship USS Fitzgerald crashed into Filipino cargo ship ACX Crystal off the coast of Honshu, claiming the lives of seven American sailors.
The bow of the container ship slammed into the Fitzgerald’s right side above the waterline, quickly flooding several areas inside the ship, including a berthing, or sleeping, area.
More to follow
The collision between the US guided-missile destroyer and merchant vessel Alnic MC was reported at 6.24am Japan Standard Time. The John McCain (pictured in 2013) was underway east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca
