President Donald Trump initially responded to the accident saying to reporters, “That’s too bad.”
Trump’s comments came just hours after the US destroyer collided with the Alnic MC, a 30,000 ton Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker.
The damage to the American vessel was immediate — and catastrophic.
According to a Navy press release, “Significant damage to the hull resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms. Damage control efforts by the crew halted further flooding.”
The cause of the crash is still unclear, but the Navy says an investigation is underway.
In addition to the missing sailors, five others were also injured by the crash. Four were airlifted to a hospital in Singapore for non-life-threatening injuries. The fifth did not require further medical attention.
Trump was asked about the crash when he returned to the White House late Sunday night from a 17-day vacation spent mostly at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. To reporters shouting questions about the collision, he responded, “That’s too bad, too bad.”