The American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage capsized and partially sank in the Mississippi River after the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck it at about 12:30 p.m. today, Nov. 13, at the Port of New Orleans.
The American Heritage was docked at the time and passengers were said to be disembarking. Local news coverage said the tanker had an electrical issue at the time.
The collision happened on the New Orleans side of the river near the Crescent City Connection bridge. The ship listed and capsized immediately following the collision.
Images from the scene showed the tanker’s bow pushed into the riverboat’s side. The American Heritage was rolled over against the dock and largely underwater.
About 129 passengers were onboard. Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel are on scene and running rescue and response operations. Some people have been rescued from the river.
Port officials said passengers were being brought into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage and assistance.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident,” the Port said in a statement. It added that the number of injuries and the cause of the allision have not yet been confirmed.
Further reports said eight people have been transported to a local hospital and over 80 have been treated at the port.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said multiple people had been rescued and that search-and-rescue operations were still underway.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said his office was in close contact with local officials and law enforcement and that he was on his way to New Orleans. A senior White House official said President Trump had been briefed.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was responding with local partners to a collision between a tanker and a cruise ship near mile marker 96. It has partly closed the river.
American Cruise Lines had not issued a statement at the time of publication.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
