The USS Fitzgerald has had a reportedly serious collision with a Japanese merchant vessel at sea off the coast of Japan:
JUST IN: USS Fitzgerald collides with Japanese vessel; reports of a serious collision. Japanese sending tug boats to assist.
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) June 16, 2017
JUST IN: USS Fitzgerald, merchant vessel collide southwest of Yokosuka, Japan; US has requested Japanese Coast Guard assistance – @ckubeNBC
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2017
The USS Fitzgerald is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that has been forward-deployed in the Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/9vVi66tbVm
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2017
Just In: USS Fitzgerald involved in collision at sea off Japan. injuries being determined. https://t.co/ASfbiDIsna
— Barbara Starr (@barbarastarrcnn) June 16, 2017
Via the Navy:
USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17, while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.
The U.S. Navy has requested Japanese Coast Guard assistance in responding to the collision.
The extent of damage is being determined. The extent of personnel injuries is being determined. The incident will be investigated.
I’ll have more on this as it develops…
UPDATE 1:
Here’s a photo:
JUST IN: @NHKWORLD_News video shows significant damage to USS Fitzgerald after collision with ship off Japan. pic.twitter.com/pMS46nIr1p
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) June 16, 2017
#USSFitzgerald listing after collision at about 3amJST with PH flagged container ship near Japan. (COR) Photo via NHK Helicopter pic.twitter.com/rSTVmE4Atw
— Robert Speta (@robertspeta) June 16, 2017
Also there’s an embeddable video at this link you can watch. It’s in Japanese, just fyi.
UPDATE 2:
“Significant”
JUST IN: USS Fitzgerald sustained “significant” damage in collision with merchant ship off Japan, US Defense official says – @ckubeNBC
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2017
Here’s an animated gif of the wreckage:
USS Fitzgerald badly damaged after crashing with Japanese merchant ship https://t.co/nEjFL28ABC pic.twitter.com/vp4hiDMOl3
— alex lockie (@alexjlockie) June 16, 2017
UPDATE 3:
Sailors injured…
JUST IN: Multiple US sailors are injured after USS Fitzgerald and merchant ship collide off Japan, US Navy official says – @ckubeNBC
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2017
Statement from Adm. John Richardson:
Three compartments flooded…
JUST IN: Officials say three compartments aboard the #USSFitzgerald are flooded following collision with cargo ship. https://t.co/u5WBLMZ4xy
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) June 16, 2017
UPDATE 5:
USS Fitzgerald heading back under it’s own power…
UPDATE: #USSFitzgerald heading back to #Yokosuka under its own power at 3 knots – @USNavy https://t.co/KPmLhTP4ke pic.twitter.com/DAvaFFr9ow
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 16, 2017
UPDATE 6:
More on injuries…
No reports of fatalities on USS Fitzgerald, there are injured on destroyer. Making sure no missing. Damage to destroyer is starboard side
— luis martinez (@LMartinezABC) June 16, 2017
#USSFitzgerald update MT @US7thFleet: No reports of casualties at this time.
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 16, 2017
UPDATE 7:
One sailor is being prepped to be flown off in a helicopter over his injuries.
Update: One injured sailor transported from USS Fitzgerald by JCG helicopter. https://t.co/Pq2xogRa3E
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 16, 2017
BUT there’s a report that 7 sailors are unaccounted for:
NHK is saying that up to 7 sailors are unaccounted for aboard the USS Fitzgerald; no confirmation from @US7thFleet
— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) June 16, 2017
BREAKING: Japan broadcaster NHK says 7 U.S Navy ship members unaccounted for after collision with container ship off Japan – AP
— Boo (@P4tR10tBoo) June 16, 2017