A large tanker vessel collided with a passenger riverboat in New Orleans on Friday, causing the cruise ship to capsize and triggering a significant rescue response on the Mississippi River. The incident occurred at 12:30 p.m. in the Port of New Orleans, which is recognized as one of the largest ports in the United States.
The riverboat, identified as the American Heritage and managed by American Cruise Lines, was struck in a T-bone fashion by the tanker while it was docked near the French Quarter. According to a spokesperson for the cruise line, the vessel had been at the port for approximately two hours prior to the impact.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno addressed reporters regarding the outcome of the crash. She confirmed that all passengers on board had been accounted for, a fact she described as a miracle on the Mississippi. While the collision resulted in 32 passengers being hospitalized, Moreno stated that none of the injuries were considered critical.
Witnesses and officials described the moment of impact as chaotic. Moreno explained that passengers were in the process of disembarking when the riverboat began to sink and flip. This sudden movement left several individuals in the water, prompting an all-hands-on-deck approach from local responders.
Rhonda Akers, a passenger on the American Heritage, shared her account of the emergency with NBC News. She recalled that after the initial collision, the ship struck again and flipped over. Akers stated that she had to crawl over the railing and across other people to reach safety. Her husband, who was also on board, was hospitalized with a head injury.
The American Heritage was scheduled to begin a seven-day cruise to Mississippi at the time of the accident. Video footage and images verified by NBC News show numerous individuals wearing life jackets swimming in the water near the site of the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Mayor Moreno indicated that the cause was not immediately clear. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the inquiry into the incident.
Officials noted that the arrival of transportation investigators in the Crescent City was delayed due to a nationwide ground stop at airports. This weather-related disruption slowed the deployment of key personnel to the scene.
In the aftermath of the crash, a three-mile stretch of the river was closed to traffic while responders assessed the situation and conducted rescue efforts. A Coast Guard official told reporters that authorities are working to reopen the waterway to normal traffic as soon as possible.
The tanker involved in the collision is named the Atlantic Asphalt. Public records indicate that the vessel is based in the Marshall Islands and is owned by companies from China and Liberia.
