Sailors Missing after US Destroyer Collision Off Singapore

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain approaches the aircraft carrier USS George Washington for a fueling at sea in this December 5, 2010 handout photo courtesy of the US Navy. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain approaches the aircraft carrier USS George Washington for a fueling at sea in this December 5, 2010 handout photo courtesy of the US Navy. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
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Sailors Missing after US Destroyer Collision Off Singapore

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain approaches the aircraft carrier USS George Washington for a fueling at sea in this December 5, 2010 handout photo courtesy of the US Navy. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain approaches the aircraft carrier USS George Washington for a fueling at sea in this December 5, 2010 handout photo courtesy of the US Navy. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Ten US sailors were missing and five injured early Monday after their destroyer collided with an oil tanker east of Singapore. 

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Singapore Monday afternoon with a large hole torn towards its stern, as an air and sea search involving three countries was mounted for the missing crew. 

The warship collided with the Alnic MC near the Strait of Malacca in the early hours, the US Navy said.

"Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port (left) side aft," it said in a statement.

"There are currently 10 sailors missing and five injured... search and rescue efforts are underway in coordination with local authorities."

A helicopter took four of the injured to a Singapore hospital with non life-threatening injuries while the fifth did not need further medical attention, the navy said.

The destroyer could still sail under its own power after the collision with the Liberian-flagged tanker at 5:24 am (2124 GMT Sunday). Two other vessels escorted it into port, AFP journalists saw. 

The warship had been heading for a routine stop in Singapore after carrying out a sensitive "freedom of navigation operation" in the disputed South China Sea earlier in August, sparking a furious response from Beijing.

A major search was launched after the collision, involving boats and aircraft from Singapore, Malaysia and the US.

The vessel is named after US Senator John McCain's father and grandfather, who were both admirals in the US navy.

McCain said in a tweet that he and his wife "are keeping America's sailors aboard the USS John S McCain in our prayers tonight -- appreciate the work of search & rescue crews".

President Donald Trump initially said "that's too bad" in response to reporters' shouted questions about the collision, as he arrived back at the White House after a holiday.

He followed up with a Tweet: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."



Rescuers Search for 19 Missing, Recover 9 Bodies after Nepal Flooding

Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
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Rescuers Search for 19 Missing, Recover 9 Bodies after Nepal Flooding

Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu

Dozens of rescuers searched the banks of a mountain river Wednesday looking for people missing after monsoon floods swept away Nepal's main bridge connecting to the country to China and caused at least nine deaths.

Police said dozens of rescuers were already at the area and more are expected to join the rescue efforts. Nine dead bodies have been recovered from the river. Security forces have rescued 55 people, including four Indians and a Chinese person so far, according to the Rasuwa District Administration Office.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, along with top ministers and officials, flew to the area, The Associated Press reported. Oli called an emergency meeting Tuesday night and instructed all security forces and government offices to assist the rescue and recovery efforts.

The flooding on the Bhotekoshi River early Tuesday destroyed the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, which is 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. Several houses and trucks that were parked at the border for customs inspections also were swept away. Hundreds of electric vehicles imported from China had been parked at the border point.

The 19 missing are 13 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The Chinese and eight of the Nepalis were workers at a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border, according to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, quoted by state media.

The destruction of the bridge has halted all trade from China to Nepal through this route. The longer alternative is for goods to be shipped from China to India and then brought overland to Nepal.