In pictures: USS Fitzgerald crashes near Japan

Guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald off the Shimoda coast after it collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship on June 17, 2017AFP/Getty Images

The USS Fitzgerald was in a collision with a container ship at about 02:30 Japanese time on Saturday

damages on the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald off the Shimoda coast after it collided with a Philippine-flagged container shipAFP/Getty Images

The collision led to flooding on board the Navy ship - seven crew members were reported missing

guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald next to tugboats off the Shimoda coast after it collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship on June 17, 2017.AFP/Getty Images

The damaged ship made its way back to the US base in Yokosuka

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is towed into the U.S. naval base in YokosukaReuters

It remains unclear how and why the collision happened

A handout photo made available by Japan"s Defense Ministry, showing US military personnel preparing to transfer an injured person on board the USS FitzgeraldEPA

Three people including the commanding officer were taken to hospital

an injured USS Fitzgerald personnel being carried by US military personnel (L) and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force members (R)EPA

The collision is reported to have taken place in calm, clear conditions

A handout photo made available by the 3rd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters shows the damaged container ship ACX CrystalEPA

The Philippines-registered container ship, the ACX Crystal, suffered less damage

A Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, damaged by colliding with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS FitzgeraldKyodo via Reuters

The ACX Crystal went on to complete its journey to Tokyo

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