WASHINGTON, United States (US): A US warship and a Navy supply vessel collided in Caribbean waters on Wednesday during ship-to-ship refuelling, leaving two people with minor injuries, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Thursday, citing US Southern Command spokesman, Colonel Emmanuel Ortiz, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
The vessels involved were the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer ‘USS Truxtun’ and the Supply-class fast combat support ship ‘USNS Supply’.
The injured personnel remain in stable condition, and both ships are able to continue sailing safely, Ortiz said, adding that the cause of the collision and the exact location have yet to be determined.
The incident is under investigation.
A military official told ’The Wall Street Journal’ that the collision occurred in the Southern Command area of responsibility, amid a massive naval buildup in the region ordered by US President Donald Trump in recent months as part of his campaign against drug traffickers.
There are 12 warships in US SOUTHCOM, including the aircraft carrier ‘USS Gerald R. Ford’ and its strike group, the report added. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
