US Navy destroyer collides with oil tanker near Singapore

Ten people are missing and five confirmed injured following a collision between a US Navy destroyer and an oil tanker off the coast of Singapore this morning.

The USS John S McCain collided with the Liberian-flagged Alnic MC in the Strait of Malacca east of Singapore as it was preparing to approach the port.

"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," the BBC reports. Other reports suggest it was helped into port by tugs.

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The search-and-rescue mission involved "Singaporean ships, helicopters and tug boats, as well as US Navy aircraft", says ABC News. The injured sailors were not seriously hurt.

"It is the second collision involving a ship from the navy's 7th Fleet in the Pacific in two months," The Guardian reports. "Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship hit each other in waters off Japan."

Last week, three commanders were relieved of their duties for their role in the previous collision.

"President Trump, returning to the White House from his 'working vacation,' responded to word of the collision by saying 'that's too bad,'" according to Fox News.

US Senator John McCain, after whose father and grandfather the destroyer is named, said his thoughts were with the survivors.