Over 30 injured after tanker collides with docked riverboat in New Orleans

More than 30 people were injured yesterday (Nov.13) after a tanker lost control and collided with a docked riverboat on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans, causing the passenger vessel to capsize.

Nearly 200 people were aboard the cruise ship, American Heritage, when it was struck by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker around midday, according to New Orleans officials. All individuals on board have since been accounted for, prompting New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno to describe the outcome as a “miracle on the Mississippi.”

Authorities confirmed that 30 cruise passengers and two officers who entered the water are currently hospitalized with non-critical injuries. Officials noted that no children were involved in the incident.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday afternoon, Mayor Moreno explained that passengers had begun disembarking immediately following the impact. However, the American Heritage soon began to sink before eventually toppling over and flipping, forcing several remaining individuals into the river and triggering an immediate emergency rescue response.