Collision Between US Navy Vessels Near South America Leaves Two Injured

Fri Feb 13 2026 01:29:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A US Navy destroyer and a supply ship collided during a refueling operation, resulting in minor injuries to two personnel. An investigation is underway as both vessels continue their missions.

In a recent incident near South America, a US Navy guided missile destroyer collided with a supply vessel during refueling operations. Two personnel sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition. The cause of the collision is under investigation, but both ships have safely resumed operations in the Caribbean region.

A US Navy warship collided into a Navy supply vessel during a refuel operation, the US military's Southern Command confirmed. Two people reported minor injuries during Wednesday's replenishment-at-sea operation, and are in stable condition.

The vessels - a guided missile destroyer and fast combat support ship - have both continued sailing safely from the site of the incident near South America. Southern Command did not specify the cause of the collision, stating that the incident is currently under investigation.

The exact location of the crash between the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply was not immediately available. The USNS Supply ship has been operating in the Caribbean, as part of the responsibilities of Southern Command, which oversees parts of the South Atlantic and South Pacific.

In recent months, US President Donald Trump has called for military buildups in the Caribbean, aiming to combat drug trafficking. This follows a series of military strikes in the region, resulting in fatalities among alleged drug traffickers.