Some remains found, one by Malaysian Navy - US Admiral Swift

US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift today said that some remains have been found and one is located by the Royal Malaysian Navy.

"The Malaysian Navy has reported that they have located a potential remain. They are working to confirm and identifying the remain," he said in updating on the situation aboard USS John S McCain following its recent collision with a merchant ship in nearby waters.

Swift said that the US Navy is in the process of transferring the body so that it could start the identification process and determine whether it was one of the 10 missing crew of the US Navy destroyer, USS John S McCain, which was involved in a collision with an oil tanker, Alnic MC, on early Monday morning.

He noted that some remains were also located by US Navy divers in the seal compartments of the USS John S McCain during the search today.

However, he said it is premature to say how many and the status of the recovery of those bodies.

On the cause of the collision, Swift declined to comment as he said the investigation was at "very early stage."

On possible cyber attack, Swift said that there were no indications of cyber attack or cyber interference, but the US Navy would not take any scenario off the table.

Swift also said the search and rescue (SAR) operations would continue until the probability of discovering the ship crew members is exhausted.

The US Pacific Fleet Commander, who is hopeful for survivors of the USS John S McCain crew, also expressed gratitude to Singapore and Malaysia's partners for participating in the SAR efforts.

Meanwhile in its latest update, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the co-ordinating agency for the SAR, said a multi-agency efforts led by Singapore continued today to locate the 10 unaccounted crew.

MPA said the efforts are being coordinated with US, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia.

It noted that Singapore on Tuesday accepted an offer of assistance from Indonesia to search the northern coast line of Bintan island, and accepted Malaysia's offer today to send four aircraft to join the expanded search area, including along Malaysia's coast line.

Indonesia has increased its deployment to two aircraft and three vessels. while Australia has offered fixed wing assets to join the search.

The US Navy also deployed assets from amphibious assault ship USS America with diving operations to access sealed compartments located in damaged parts of the ship are ongoing.

MPA noted that the search area has been expanded to cover 2620 km2, with Singapore and the US covering the centre of the identified search area while Malaysian and Indonesian assets are covering the north and south.

-- BERNAMA