US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier crashes with cargo vessel
USS Harry S. Truman Collides with Merchant Ship in Mediterranean
The USS Harry S. Truman, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was involved in a collision with the merchant ship Besiktas-M in the Mediterranean Sea near port Said, Egypt. The incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, has raised concerns about the safety of naval operations in the region. Fortunately, there were no injuries or flooding reported on the Truman, and its nuclear propulsion systems remain intact. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the collision.
Rising Concerns Over Naval Operations
The Besiktas-M, a bulk carrier en route to the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, after passing through the Suez Canal, collided with the USS Harry S. Truman, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. The carrier had recently completed a port call in Souda Bay, Greece, before the incident. With a crew of approximately 5,000, the Truman has been deployed to the Mediterranean since September 2024 to support American interests in the Middle East amidst escalating tensions in the region. The vessel has been involved in various missions, including missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Houthis Claim Retaliatory Attack on Carrier Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea
Incidents Raise Questions About Navy’s Safety Protocols
The collision involving the USS Harry S. Truman is the latest in a series of accidents that have plagued US Navy vessels in recent years. In 2017, the USS Fitzgerald collided with the ACX Crystal off the coast of Japan, resulting in the deaths of seven sailors. Later that same year, the USS John S. McCain collided with the tanker Alnic MC near Singapore, leading to ten fatalities. Additionally, in October 2021, the USS Connecticut submarine struck an uncharted underwater mountain in the South China Sea, injuring 11 crew members and causing significant damage to the vessel. These incidents have raised concerns about the Navy’s operations and training protocols, prompting calls for improved safety measures to prevent future accidents.
