Remains of all 10 missing US sailors from destroyer found: US Navy

FILE PHOTO/ Flag of Singapore (Photo: Various – The drawing was based from http://app.www.sg/who/42/National-Flag.aspx. Colors from the book: (2001), Public Domain)

SINGAPORE — All 10 missing sailors from the USS John S. McCain were confirmed dead as their remains had been found aboard the ship now docked at the Singapore Changi Naval Base, the US Navy said Monday.

The destroyer collided with oil tanker Alnic MC in waters off the eastern side of Singapore last Monday.

Of the 10, six were electronics technicians, two interior communications electricians and two information systems technicians, aged between 20 to 39.

Two  bodies were identified last week, according to the US Navy.

The search and rescue operation at sea for the unaccounted was suspended last Thursday after the US Navy decided to focus on recovery of the warship itself.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the Singapore-coordinated search and rescue efforts with the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia covered 5,524 square km and involved more than 300 personnel from various Singapore agencies.

The collision was the second involving a destroyer from the US 7th Fleet in two months.

Head of the US 7th Fleet Joseph Aucoin, who was scheduled to retire next month, was removed from his post last week.

In June, the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with Philippine container vessel ACX Crystal, killing seven sailors and injuring three others.

 (Xinhua)