Editor’s note: See below for updates.
Breaking news from the seas off Japan where we’re seeing reports that the USS Fitzgerald has collided with a merchant vessel:
USS Fitzgerald was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17. https://t.co/RuSjxcEtw7
— 7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) June 16, 2017
According to news reports, 7 sailors are reported missing:
#BREAKING: 7 U.S. Navy members missing after destroyer collides with container ship off Japan https://t.co/wFJXJtgHZP pic.twitter.com/iIvFRksK3b
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) June 16, 2017
BREAKING: Japanese broadcaster NHK says 7 U.S Navy ship members unaccounted for after collision off Japan https://t.co/pj8fscANYT
— New York Post (@nypost) June 16, 2017
According to reports, the ship is taking on water:
A scene of major damage. USS Fitzgerald is badly damaged and is taking on water pic.twitter.com/90KACX263X
— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) June 16, 2017
Aerial footage of the badly damaged USS Fitzgerald https://t.co/LvmoZunvrA
— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) June 16, 2017
An unknown number of sailors were injured in the crash:
JUST IN: Multiple US sailors are injured after USS Fitzgerald and merchant ship collide off Japan, US Navy official says – @ckubeNBC
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2017
Including some sailors who were medically evacuated:
NHK footage shows medical evacuation helicopter, pumps working hard on damaged US Navy destroyer, the USS Fitzgerald, off Japan coast pic.twitter.com/jONx3yMrkC
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) June 16, 2017
Updates:
1/ BREAKING: The damage to Fitzgerald is serious and the crew has been fighting to save the ship, three sources indicated.
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) June 16, 2017
2/ Two crew berthings and one engineering main space have been flooded.
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) June 16, 2017
3/ The CO has been seriously injured and the Executive Officer has taken command of the ship, sources said.
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) June 16, 2017
Update 2:
10/ The destroyer Dewey is en route as quick as they can get there, Japanese Coast Guard is there.
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) June 17, 2017
14/ Tugs are inbound to tow the Fitz back to port. No indication of when they'll be there or how long it will take to tow Porter back.
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) June 17, 2017
Second medevac is in progress at #USSFitzgerald, .@CNORichardson says pic.twitter.com/YtR4Qd9NO4
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) June 17, 2017
7:14P ET Update: #USSDewey, medical assistance and two #USNavy tugs being dispatched as quickly as practicable – https://t.co/H3ivRgIh65 5/6
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 16, 2017
Update 3:
The @USNavy says that three sailors have now been medically evacuated from the USS Fitzgerald after collision. Seven sailors still missing.
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) June 17, 2017
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