For the second time in two months, a U.S. Navy war ship crashed into another large boat in Asia. This time, the U.S. ship ran into one carrying oil near Singapore. Ten U.S. sailors are missing.
The U.S. Navy ship, named the John S. McCain, hit the other boat early Monday morning. The Navy says the U.S.S. McCain suffered “significant damage” on its left side. The hole caused water to enter the ship.
The American ship was able to make its way to the Changi Naval Base in Singapore, but 10 sailors are missing and five were injured in the accident. Search-and-rescue boats are looking for the missing crew and the injured sailors are in the hospital.
The ship is named for the father and grandfather of U.S. Senator John McCain. They were both U.S. Navy officers.
Both McCain and U.S. President Donald Trump used Twitter to express their concern for the missing sailors.
The U.S. ship is based in Japan and was on its way for a stop in Singapore. The oil tanker is registered in the African country of Liberia.
In June, another U.S. ship, the Fitzgerald, ran into another ship near Japan. Seven men were killed when water flooded their sleeping area.
The Navy recently announced punishment for the Fitzgerald’s captain and other officers. An investigation showed mistakes by the American officers contributed to the accident.
On his way to Jordan, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Navy “has put together a broad inquiry to look into these incidents.”
I’m Anne Ball.
Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by VOANews.com. Hai Do was the editor.
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Words in This Story
significant– adj. large enough to be noticed or have an effect
