The World - News from July 30, 1987

U.S. military officials acknowledged that Navy warplanes conducting exercises near Okinawa accidentally dropped non-explosive practice bombs on a Malaysian freighter, severing the arm of a Filipino crewman and damaging the ship. “The U.S. Navy deeply regrets the accident,” said a statement issued by the U.S. Forces-Japan Command in Tokyo. U.S. military officials said that Navy FA-18 fighter-bombers were conducting night exercises in the area. The 5,922-ton Pomex Saga reported being hit Monday night. Japanese officials said the ship’s reported location placed it 1.7 miles north of restricted waters used as a firing practice range for U.S. warplanes.