Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi in New Orleans
A freighter collided with a cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, resulting in more than 30 people being hospitalized and at least 180 passengers and crew being rescued.
The accident occurred when the much larger cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt hit The American Heritage while it was docked near the port of New Orleans. The cruise ship, built in 2015 and five stories tall, was finishing an eight-day cruise to several Mississippi River destinations.
Footage showed the paddlewheel boat capsizing after the impact, with rescue teams rushing to get people in life jackets out of the water. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described the event as "a miracle on the Mississippi," noting that none of the hospitalized had critical injuries.
"It was just chaos," local witness Devon Flanagan was quoted by news agency AP. "You had all types of ships, like other barges and other companies down there trying to help out, which also was a little convoluted because you had people still in the water."
The company operating The American Heritage, American Cruise Lines, said in a statement that "guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved."
When news of the collision broke, it was initially unclear whether there were any fatalities and how many people were injured or missing. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was on his way to New Orleans and was in close contact with local officials and law enforcement.
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin wrote on social media that "we are throwing every asset we have to helping rescue missing passengers" and that his department was coordinating closely with state officials.
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