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Divers recover bodies of 10 US navy sailors killed in Singapore collision

The damaged port aft hull of the USS John S. McCain is visible while docked at Singapore's Changi naval base in Singapore
The damaged port aft hull of the USS John S. McCain is visible while docked at Singapore's Changi naval base in Singapore The damaged port aft hull of the USS John S. McCain is visible while docked at Singapore's Changi naval base in Singapore

US military divers have recovered the bodies of all 10 sailors killed in a collision between an American destroyer and an oil tanker near Singapore.

The navy and marine corps divers had been searching in flooded compartments of the USS John S McCain after the damaged ship docked in Singapore. The victims, aged between 20 and 39, were from eight US states.

The August 21 collision, which ripped a gash in the McCain's hull, flooding crew berths and machinery and communications rooms, is being investigated.

Last week the commander of the US Navy's Japan-based 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, was sacked after a series of accidents this year raised questions about its operations.

The three-star admiral's removal was a rare dismissal of a high-ranking officer.

Navy chiefs also ordered a worldwide operational pause for its fleets to make sure all steps were being taken to ensure safe and effective operations.

The Pacific Fleet will be carrying out out a ship-by-ship review of its vessels, looking at navigation, mechanical systems, bridge resource management and training.