Trump tweets ‘thoughts and prayers’ for missing US sailors near Japan

President Trump on Saturday tweeted his thoughts and prayers for seven missing U.S. sailors after a collision between an American destroyer and merchant vessel near Japan.

“Thoughts and prayers with the sailors of USS Fitzgerald and their families. Thank you to our Japanese allies for their assistance,” Trump tweeted.

Thoughts and prayers with the sailors of USS Fitzgerald and their families. Thank you to our Japanese allies for their assistance. https://t.co/d1l5ctjNyB

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2017

Trump shared a tweet from the U.S. 7th Fleet showing the USS Fitzgerald, which returned to Yokosuka, Japan, where it is based.

Aided by two tug boats, the ship returned to base shortly after 6 p.m. following an early-morning collision some 56 nautical miles away.

U.S. and Japanese authorities continued searching by boat and aircraft for seven sailors from the USS Fitzgerald after it collided with a Philippine-flagged 730-foot container ship around 2:30 a.m. local time.

Several Japanese ships were assisting in search and rescue operations and a Japanese helicopter also transported the ship’s commanding officer to a U.S. Navy hospital in Yokosuka.

The 7th Fleet said that three U.S. sailors including the commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, required medical evacuation. The sailors were awake and under observation at the hospital.

Vice President Pence, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among those offering support for the sailors and their families on Saturday:

Karen and I join @POTUS in keeping the sailors of the USS Fitzgerald & their loved ones in our prayers. https://t.co/WUfyW2XwqS

— Vice President Pence (@VP) June 17, 2017

My thoughts & prayers are with the entire USS Fitzgerald crew, as well as the families & friends of those missing.

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) June 17, 2017

Let’s all keep the brave sailors of the USS Fitzgerald in our thoughts & prayers this weekend.https://t.co/0bMEX2F2Qd

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 17, 2017

Updated: 11:11 a.m.