A tanker collided with a river cruise ship on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on a Friday, causing the passenger vessel to tilt and become largely submerged. Local officials and emergency responders began rescue operations following the incident, which occurred shortly after noon local time.
The collision involved the Atlantic Asphalt, a tanker, and The American Heritage, a paddlewheel cruise boat. Video footage from the scene showed the tanker striking the cruise boat while the latter appeared to be docked.
The cruise boat reportedly had up to 129 people on board, according to CBS affiliate WWL-TV. However, witnesses at the scene noted that a number of passengers had already disembarked before the impact occurred. Following the collision, individuals were observed in the water wearing life jackets or standing near the railing of the listing ship, and nearby vessels reported rescuing more than a dozen people from the river.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated he was traveling to New Orleans to coordinate with local officials and law enforcement. The specific financial costs of the damage to the two vessels or any potential environmental impact from the tanker have not been reported.
What happens next remains dependent on the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. Once all individuals are accounted for, investigators will likely examine the cause of the collision. Governor Landry indicated that state authorities are in close contact with local agencies to manage the aftermath. The status of the 129 passengers, including potential injuries or hospitalizations, was not finalized in initial reports.