Rescue bid for US sailors

A RESCUE operation is under way for 10 sailors missing after a US Navy destroyer collided with a tanker in the South China Sea, in the second accident involving an American warship in two months.

Guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC east of Singapore near the Straits of Malacca at 6.24am local time (7.24am AEST) yesterday, the US Navy said in a statement.

“Initial reports indicate John S McCain sustained damage to her port side aft,” it said.

“There are currently 10 sailors missing and five injured ... search and rescue efforts are under way.”