Seven Sailors Killed as US Navy Destroyer Collides with a Container Ship

 

The bodies of missing sailors were found in flooded compartments of the USS Fitzgerald, which came close to sinking after a collision with a container ship off Japan tore a gash under the warship's waterline, the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet commander said on Sunday.

 

The smaller guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald suffered severe damage to its starboard side.

 

An investigation is underway into why a massive cargo ship made a giant u-turn that caused the deadly collision with the USS Fitzgerald.

 

"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 ships collided about 2:20 a.m. Saturday, when the Navy said most of the 300 sailors on board would have been sleeping, and authorities have declined to speculate on a cause while the crash remains under investigation.

 

The Navy is working with the Japanese coast guard to respond to that injury, it said in a statement, and is determining the state of other personnel.

 

"We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our fellow shipmates as a result of Friday's collision between USS Fitzgerald and a commercial container ship, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families," said Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley.

 

"As details emerge, we can all be proud of the heroic effort by the crew to tend to the needs of those injured and save the ship from further damage while returning safely to port. The Navy family comes together during tragic events such as this and I want to thank those who continue to provide around-the-clock assistance to the affected families during these difficult days," he added.