The US Navy has ordered a worldwide "operational pause" of its fleet after a destroyer collided with a tanker near Singapore, leaving 10 sailors missing.

Five other sailors were injured in the crash involving the guided missile destroyer USS John S McCain.

The US Navy has ordered a wide investigation into its Pacific fleet following Monday morning's incident.

It was the fourth crash involving a US Navy ship this year and the second in the past two months.

Navy Adm John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, was quoted by BBC as saying in a statement: "This trend demands more forceful action.

"As such, I have directed an operational pause be taken in all of our fleets around the world."