The U.S. Navy's second major collision by a ship from its 7th Fleet on Monday shows it is "becoming a hazard in Asian waters" amid Washington's claim that the navy is protecting freedom of navigation, Chinese state-run media have said.
The U.S. Navy announced Monday a fleetwide probe and temporary halt to operations — including an examination of forces forward-deployed to Japan — after the USS John S. McCain, an Aegis-equipped destroyer home-ported in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Alnic MC tanker collided early Monday off Singapore.
The collision ripped a gaping hole near the warship's waterline, flooding compartments that included a crew sleeping area and leaving 10 sailors unaccounted for.