New Orleans boat crash: tanker collides with river cruise ship carrying more than 130 people – latest updates
A tanker has collided with a river cruise liner carrying more than 130 people in New Orleans, causing the cruise ship to take on water and lie on its side.
The collision occurred around 12:30 pm local time on Friday when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Cruise Lines' American Heritage. The cruise liner, carrying approximately 129 passengers and crew, was docked on the Mississippi River near the port of New Orleans's administrative building when it was hit.
Governor Jeff Landry confirmed the incident, stating he was in contact with local officials and law enforcement. Emergency response efforts are underway, with multiple people already rescued from the water. Photos from the scene show the cruise ship lying completely on its side, with emergency personnel and rescue crews working at the location.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno's communication team confirmed that multiple individuals have been rescued, though search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing. Helicopters were seen in the air along with ambulances waiting nearby, and several people were observed in the river wearing life jackets.
An emergency response source indicated that efforts were underway to rescue people from the water, suggesting the tanker may have lost power before striking the American Heritage. Videos circulating on social media appear to show the moment of impact, with the cruise ship then falling to its side and beginning to sink rapidly.
This ship is headed upriver and for it to have lost the ability to avoid the moored vessel, there must have been some fairly substantial failure, with the steering gear or the propulsion of the ship to prevent them from avoiding the vessel on shore.
Traffic Disruptions
The US Coast Guard has announced that the Mississippi River is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96, encompassing the area where the crash occurred. This closure is to assist responders as they "assess the situation and conduct response operations".
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has suspended ferry service across the Mississippi River as a precautionary measure following the collision. Travelers are being encouraged to seek alternate routes until further notice.
Investigation Underway
Officials have scheduled a news conference for 3pm CST to provide further updates on the collision. Martin J Davies, a maritime expert at Tulane University, suggested the incident may have been caused by either steerage failure or engine failure, noting how close both vessels appear to be to the bridge above.
The investigation will focus on determining the exact cause of the collision and assessing the full extent of the damage to both vessels. Authorities will also evaluate the environmental impact of the incident, particularly given the tanker's cargo.
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