A river cruise ship carrying more than 130 people has capsized after being struck by a tanker near the Port of New Orleans, leaving 32 people hospitalised as emergency crews launched a major rescue operation.
A major maritime emergency unfolded on the Mississippi River in Louisiana after a tanker lost control and collided with a docked passenger cruise ship, sending dozens of people into the water.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed the collision occurred at approximately 12:30pm local time on Friday, near the Port of New Orleans.
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked when a tanker identified as the Atlantic Asphalt reportedly lost control and struck the vessel.
More than 130 people were aboard the cruise ship when the collision occurred.
Cruise ship capsizes as passengers attempt to escape
Speaking at an emergency press conference, Moreno described how passengers began evacuating the American Heritage immediately after the collision.
However, as people were disembarking, the cruise ship began taking on water.
The vessel subsequently lost stability, toppled onto its side and capsized in the Mississippi River.
The rapidly deteriorating situation left passengers struggling to escape, with dozens ending up in the water.
Emergency services launched an immediate rescue operation involving harbour police, firefighters, nearby vessels and other first responders.
Moreno praised the bravery of harbour police officers who entered the river to pull passengers to safety.
New Orleans firefighters also deployed ladders over the dock to help people climb out of the water.
Other vessels operating along the Mississippi joined the rescue effort, with crews volunteering to help retrieve passengers.
BREAKING: Tanker collides with river cruiser near the Port of New Orleans in Louisiana; rescues ongoing. https://t.co/jBUCRYhHXt
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 13, 2026
32 hospitalised but no passengers missing
Authorities confirmed that 32 passengers from the cruise ship had been transported to local hospitals following the collision.
None of those hospitalised had suffered critical injuries, according to the mayor.
Despite the scale of the incident, officials reported that everyone aboard had been accounted for.
“At this moment, the information that we have, we have zero people unaccounted for,” Moreno said.
She described the outcome as remarkable given the circumstances.
“Which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” the mayor added.
The confirmation provided significant relief to emergency crews and families following initial concerns that passengers could be missing in the river.
Tanker reportedly lost control before collision
The circumstances surrounding the tanker’s loss of control remain under investigation.
According to the mayor’s initial account, the Atlantic Asphalt lost control before colliding with the docked American Heritage.
Authorities have not yet established what caused the tanker to lose control or whether mechanical problems, navigation difficulties or other factors contributed to the incident.
The condition of the tanker and its crew was not detailed in the initial mayoral briefing.
The collision raises questions about maritime safety along one of America’s busiest commercial waterways, where large cargo vessels and passenger ships operate in close proximity.
Louisiana governor joins emergency response
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was among the senior officials coordinating the response to the maritime emergency.
Moreno said she contacted the governor after arriving at the scene and witnessing the scale of the disaster.
The governor immediately offered state assistance and began arranging additional emergency resources.
State and federal agencies were also mobilised to support the local response, with the governor travelling to New Orleans by helicopter.
The mayor thanked first responders from local, state and federal agencies for their efforts in preventing a potentially catastrophic loss of life.
Investigation into Mississippi River collision begins
Authorities are expected to examine how the tanker lost control, the circumstances of the impact and why the passenger vessel capsized while people were attempting to evacuate.
The incident is also likely to prompt questions about emergency procedures for docked cruise ships operating alongside commercial tanker traffic.
For now, officials are focused on the welfare of the rescued passengers and assessing the consequences of the collision.
With more than 130 people aboard the American Heritage and dozens thrown into the Mississippi River, the absence of reported missing passengers represents an extraordinary outcome from a potentially deadly maritime disaster.
