SINGAPORE: A search and rescue operation is under way for 10 US sailors after a US warship and an oil tanker collided off the coast of Singapore on Monday (Aug 21).
The guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC at around 5.30am while the warship was heading to Singapore for a routine port call, the US navy said in a statement.
Five US sailors were injured in the collision, which took place at around 5.30am. Four of the sailors were evacuated by helicopter to the Singapore General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while the fifth did not need further medical attention, the US navy said.
No crew members on the oil tanker were injured, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed the collision in a Facebook post, which he said happened in Singapore's territorial waters.
The MPA is leading the search and rescue operation, Dr Ng said, adding that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has also been mobilised after it responded to the US navy's request for assistance from the Republic of Singapore
"From the SAF, two Patrol Vessels, RSS Gallant and RSS Resilience; one Frigate, RSS Intrepid; two Super Pumas and one Chinook helicopter are assisting in the efforts. RSN’s RSS Resilience is currently escorting USS John S McCain back to Changi Naval Base," he said.
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