U.S. Submarine Collided With Japanese Oil Tanker

A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine collided with a Japanese oil-tanker in the Straits of Hormuz late last night. Only minor damage to the tanker and no serious injuries were reported.

The USS Newport News submarine collided with the stern of the Japanese oil-tanker, causing minor damage to the tanker. No personnel on either vessel were seriously injured, US Navy and Japanese government officials said.

The straits of Hormuz connect the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is a major waterway for oil tankers.

Immediately after the incident the tanker was able to continue to nearby port in the United Arab Emirates. The tanker is owned by Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Ltd.

The Japanese government was informed of the incident soon after by the Navy and the U.S Embassy in Tokyo. They have requested that the U.S investigate the cause of the incident.

The recent incident is a stark reminder of the February 2001 incident when a U.S. Submarine rammed into a Japanese fishing vessel in waters off Hawaii, killing nine people.