Several sailors’ bodies found on stricken Navy destroyer

YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) – Navy divers found a number of sailors’ bodies today aboard the stricken USS Fitzgerald that collided with a container ship in the busy sea off Japan, but a spokeswoman said not all seven missing had been accounted for.

Searchers gained access to the spaces that were damaged during the collision and brought the remains to Naval Hospital Yokosuka where they will be identified, the Navy said in a statement. Seven sailors had been missing, but Yoko Kato, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy in Yokosuka, said not all were recovered.

She didn’t say how many were found.

Japan’s coast guard officials said the sea and air search was still continuing at the site of the collision, 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, home to the 7th Fleet.

The Navy said that the families were being notified and provided the support they need during “this difficult time.” The names of the sailors will be released after all notifications are made.

Sixteen hours following the predawn Saturday collision, the damaged destroyer was pumping out water as it limped back to its home port in Yokosuka.

Associated Press photos LEFT: The USS Fitzgerald is seen off Izu Peninsula in, Japan, after the Navy destroyer collided Saturday with a merchant ship. BELOW: The damage of Philippine-registered container ship ACX Crystal is seen off Izu Oshima, Japan, after it had collided...