The collision of two US Navy ships while refueling

According to RCO News Agency, “Steven McLeod”, the spokesperson of the US Southern Command, announced in a statement that the guided missile destroyer “USS Truxtun” and the fast combat support ship “USNS Supply” collided during the refueling operation at sea.

McLeod said the injured suffered minor injuries and were in stable condition, according to the Hill News outlet.

The cause of the collision and the exact location of the accident are still unknown. The cause of this incident is under investigation.

Resupply operations usually involve the transfer of fuel and other supplies between two ships that are moving alongside each other.

This incident occurs while US President Donald Trump has established a large military presence in the region under the responsibility of the Southern Command in recent months. The action was taken before the US campaign to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The U.S. military has 12 warships stationed in the region — which spans Central America, South America and the Caribbean — including the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and its assault group.

In 2017, 17 sailors died in two separate collisions between Navy ships in the Pacific; According to a 71-page report, the incidents were preventable and were caused by “numerous shortcomings” on the part of the officers and sailors present on the ships.

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