USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant ship yesterday. Seven US sailors are missing. It is unknown whether they were knocked overboard during the collision or if they are trapped inside the damaged portion of the ship.
The ship is taking on water but not currently in danger of sinking.
"The collision affected Fitzgerald's forward starboard side above and below the water line, causing significant damage and associated flooding to two berthing spaces, a machinery space, and the radio room," according to a statement from US 7th Fleet.
The statement hinted that the missing sailors could be trapped in the damaged area of the destroyer.
"It remains uncertain how long it will take to gain access to the spaces once the ship is pier side ... to methodically continue the search for the missing," the statement said.
The two ships collided around 1:30 a.m. local time Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, about 56 nautical miles southwest from the port of Yokosuka and 12 miles off the Izu Peninsula, the Japanese coast guard said.
US Navy destroyer collision near Japan: 7 sailors missing - CNNPolitics.com
The ship is taking on water but not currently in danger of sinking.
"The collision affected Fitzgerald's forward starboard side above and below the water line, causing significant damage and associated flooding to two berthing spaces, a machinery space, and the radio room," according to a statement from US 7th Fleet.
The statement hinted that the missing sailors could be trapped in the damaged area of the destroyer.
"It remains uncertain how long it will take to gain access to the spaces once the ship is pier side ... to methodically continue the search for the missing," the statement said.
The two ships collided around 1:30 a.m. local time Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, about 56 nautical miles southwest from the port of Yokosuka and 12 miles off the Izu Peninsula, the Japanese coast guard said.
US Navy destroyer collision near Japan: 7 sailors missing - CNNPolitics.com
Last edited: