Crew feared missing after US Navy ship, Philippine vessel collide

Seven crew members are missing after a US Navy destroyer collided with a merchant vessel off the cost of Japan early Saturday morning, Kyodo news agency reported, citing the Japanese coast guard.

A US official told Reuters that the USS Fitzgerald was still working to account for all personnel. One injured sailor was due to be evacuated from the ship to the hospital by a Japanese coast guard helicopter, according to a US Navy statement.

The collision happened at 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, according to the statement, when the USS Fitzgerald was operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.

The destroyer experienced some flooding after the collision, and "the extent of damage is being determined," the statement added. "The USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline."

Reuters reported earlier that the US 7th Fleet said the ship was heading back to Yokosuka under its own power at three knots, according to a US spokesman.

(CGTN)