US nuclear sub hits Japanese ship

The US navy is investigating how a nuclear-powered submarine hit a Japanese merchant ship near the busy shipping lanes of the Straits of Hormuz.

Damage to the USS Newport Newssubmarine and the tanker was light, and there was no spill of oil or leakage of nuclear fuel, officials said.

There were no serious injuries reported, and both vessels remained able to navigate.

The bow of the nuclear-powered Newport Newshit the stern of the oil tanker Mogamigawaas the vessels were passing just outside the straits in the Gulf of Oman last night, causing minor damage to the Japanese vessel.

AP