A dhow apparently sank after colliding with a US aircraft carrier in the Gulf overnight, but no one was injured among the crew of the USS John F. Kennedy, the US Navy's Fifth Fleet said Friday.The fate of those aboard the dhow is so far unknown, and the incident is under investigation, said a statement issued in Bahrain, where the Fifth Fleet is based.
"During night flight operations in international waters, USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and an unidentified dhow collided in the Arabian Gulf, at approximately 10:20 pm (1920 GMT), Thursday," the statement said.
"All indications are that the dhow sank as a result of this accident. John F. Kennedy and (the British ship) HMS Somerset immediately launched helicopters and small boats to search for any crew members of the dhow," the statement said.
"US Navy P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft were launched to assist in the search and rescue operation. Although a debris field has been located, no survivors or remains have been found. Rescue operations are continuing," it said.
"All airborne aircraft from Kennedy's airwing were recovered and all crew members have been accounted for. No Kennedy personnel were injured."
The US Navy was investigating the circumstances of the accident, the statement said, adding that the Kennedy is deployed to the Central Command's area of responsibility under the command of the Fifth Fleet.
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