(Aug 21): A US warship was damaged after colliding with a merchant vessel east of Singapore on Monday, the US Navy said.

The Navy said in a statement the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with the Alnic MC vessel while "the ship was transiting to a routine port visit in Singapore."

"Initial reports indicate John S. McCain sustained damage to her port side aft," the Navy said, adding that a search-and-rescue mission was under way.