The guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald has collided with a merchant vessel off the coast of Japan, the U.S. Navy said.

  • Destroyer USS Fitzgerald, container ship collide off Japan
  • At least 1 sailor being evacuated via medevac
  • Fitzgerald damaged on starboard side; ship has taken on water

The collision with the Philippine-flagged container ship ACX Crystal occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, local time, while the destroyer was operating about 64 miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.

The Japanese Coast Guard responded after a request from the U.S. Navy.

The Fitzgerald is damaged on the starboard side and has taken on water, the Navy said. It's operating under its own power, but propulsion is limited.

One sailor was being evacuated via helicopter medevac. However, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that seven Fitzgerald sailors were missing as of 6:30 p.m. Friday ET.

The USS Dewey and two Navy tugs were dispatched to help, and Naval aircraft were on standby.

Fleet Activities Yokosuka is the largest overseas U.S. Navy base and is considered one of the most strategically important bases in the U.S. military.