Navy: 10 sailors missing after destroyer USS John S. McCain collides with tanker

Greg Toppo | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Search and rescue underway after U.S. destroyer collision A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer collided with a merchant ship east of Singapore early Monday.

The U.S. Navy said 10 sailors were missing and five injured after the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in waters east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca early Monday.

Initial reports indicated that the destroyer sustained damage to her port side aft. The Navy said search and rescue efforts were underway.

Four of the injured were taken by a Republic of Singapore Navy Puma helicopter to a hospital in Singapore to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to a Navy statement. The fifth injured sailor did not need further treatment and remained on the ship.

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Adm. John Richardson, 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."

Our first priority is determining the safety of the ship and crew. As more information is learned, we will share it. https://t.co/E7j7CvKE2b — Adm. John Richardson (@CNORichardson) August 21, 2017

The collision was reported at 6:24 a.m. Japan Standard Time, while the ship was en route to a routine port visit in Singapore, the Navy said in a statement. After the collision, the ship was heading to port under its own power, the Navy said.

The other ship, the Alnic MC, is a 600-foot oil and chemical tanker with a gross tonnage of 30,000. The tanker is about three times the size of the McCain, the Navy Times reported.

#USSJohnSMcCain involved in collision with a merchant vessel while east of the Strait of Malacca. Updates to follow. https://t.co/6bHUovT8eI pic.twitter.com/EVcYjHwXah — 7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) August 20, 2017

The incident represents the second serious collision for a Navy vessel in two months. The USS Fitzgerald collided with a freighter off the coast of Japan on June 17, leaving seven sailors dead.

The Navy last week relieved the Fitzgerald's skipper and two top sailors of their command for losing "situational awareness" in the hours leading up to the collision. About a dozen sailors in all are facing some punishment, including all of the destroyer's watch, the Navy said.

SAR activated for possible missing sailors from #ussjohnmccain collision off Johor #KDHandalan #KMmarudu pic.twitter.com/qCa13yHmPO — Chief of Navy - PTL (@mykamarul) August 21, 2017

The USS John S. McCain has played a small role in recent tensions with North Korea, carrying out a "freedom of navigation operation" on Aug. 10, when it sailed to within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, an artificial island built up by China in the South China Sea, the Navy said earlier this month.

The operation came as President Trump seeks China's cooperation in dealing with North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

The ship is named after John S. McCain Sr. and John S. McCain Jr., Navy admirals who were the grandfather and father, respectively, of Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Sen. McCain tweeted that he and his wife were "Keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S. McCain in our prayers tonight — appreciate the work of search & rescue crews."

Cindy & I are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight - appreciate the work of search & rescue crews https://t.co/jzk9giXbfg — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 21, 2017

The ship's commander, Alfredo J. Sanchez, is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Commissioned in 1994, the USS John S. McCain, like the Fitzgerald, is part of the Navy's 7th Fleet. Built at Bath Iron Works in Maine, it is part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed naval forces; its home port is Yokosuka, Japan.

President Trump, asked about the incident as he returned to the White House from a two-week working vacation on Sunday, said, "That's too bad."

A couple of hours later he tweeted that his "thoughts & prayers" were with the crew of the ship.

Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway. https://t.co/DQU0zTRXNU — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017

Prayers for the crew of the #USSJohnSMcCain & their families. We pray for the safety of the missing & for the health of the wounded. @USNavy — Rep. Charlie Dent (@RepCharlieDent) August 21, 2017

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, Gregory Korte, USA TODAY. Follow Greg Toppo on Twitter: @gtoppo