© US Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Todd P. Cichonowicz / Wikipedia
The USS Fitzgerald and a merchant vessel have collided southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, according to a US Pacific Fleet spokesman. US sailors reportedly called the Japanese coast guard for assistance.

The Japanese Coast Guard identified the commercial ship as a Philippine container vessel, Sputnik news agency reported.

The crash occurred 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka at 2:30am local time, June 17, according to the US Pacific Fleet.

The Japanese public TV channel NHK reported that the USS Fitzgerald,an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was rendered "unable to operate" and suffered flooding, Reuters reported.

The US Pacific Fleet said that "The extent of damage is being determined. The extent of personnel injuries is being determined. The incident will be investigated."