Navy Ship Collides With Merchant Ship Near Singapore; 10 Missing, 5 Injured

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A Naval ship was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel east of Singapore and the Strait of Malacca on Sunday.

The Navy says the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) collided with the Alnic MC around 6:24 a.m. Japan Standard Time, while the ship was transiting to a routine port visit in Singapore.

There are currently 10 sailors missing and 5 injured.

Reports say John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side.

The ship is currently sailing under its own power and heading to port.

Search and rescue efforts are underway in coordination with local authorities. In addition to tug boats out of Singapore, the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Gallant (97), RSN helicopters and Police Coast Guard vessel Basking Shark (55) are currently in the area to assist.

MV-22s and SH-60s from USS America are also responding.

Alnic MC is a 600-foot oil and chemical tanker with a gross tonnage of 30,000.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook