The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is seen next to a tugboat (R) off Shimoda, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo June 17, 2017
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is seen next to a tugboat (R) off Shimoda, Japan, June 17, 2017.Reuters

At least three crew members were injured while seven others went missing after a US navy destroyer collided with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel in the south of Tokyo Bay in Japan on Saturday, June 17. According to the Japanese Coast Guard, while the US ship was experiencing some flooding and was not in any danger of sinking, the merchant vessel was able to sail on its own power.

Calling it a rare incident on a busy waterway, it added that the USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant vessel at about 2:30am local time, some 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka.

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Three people aboard the destroyer were evacuated, including the ship's commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson. While the commander was reportedly in a stable condition after being airlifted to the US Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, the other two injured are being treated for lacerations and bruises.

The Fitzgerald, Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Japanese Coast Guard are still searching for the seven missing sailors.

The full extent of damage to the US navy ship and injuries to its crew are yet to be determined. "The USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline," the navy said in a statement. The Fitzgerald was operating under its own power and her propulsion was limited.

The spokesman for the US 7th Fleet said the ship was heading back to Yokosuka under its own power at 3 knots. "Once an investigation is complete then any legal issues can be addressed," the spokesman added.

Japan's Coast Guard said that none of the 20 crew members aboard the merchant vessel was injured.

Here are some photos of the incident:

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  • The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald. damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel. is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo June 17, 2017.
    The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald. damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel. is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo June 17, 2017.Reuters
  • Philippine-flagged merchant vessel Acx Crystal, damaged after colliding with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgeraldis, is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo by the Japan Coast Guard June 17, 2017
    Philippine-flagged merchant vessel Acx Crystal, damaged after colliding with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgeraldis, is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo by the Japan Coast Guard June 17, 2017Reuters
  • The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo June 17, 2017.
    The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is seen off Shimoda, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo June 17, 2017.Reuters
  • An injured crew member of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged after colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is carried on a stretcher after arriving at the U. S. naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Jap
    An injured crew member of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged after colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is carried on a stretcher after arriving at the U. S. naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan June 17, 2017.Reuters
  • An injured crew member of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged after colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is carried on a stretcher after arriving at the U. S. naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Jap
    An injured crew member of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged after colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is carried on a stretcher after arriving at the U. S. naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan June 17, 2017.Reuters
  • The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is shown on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Pacific Ocean in this September 8, 2014
    The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is shown on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Pacific Ocean in this September 8, 2014Reuters
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