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River cruise ship, tanker crash in New Orleans on Mississippi River; passengers rescued
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A tanker named Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Heritage river cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans, causing the cruise ship to capsize and partially submerge in the Mississippi River.
- All passengers and crew from both vessels were accounted for, with no fatalities reported; 32 cruise passengers and two harbor police officers were hospitalized but none with critical injuries.
- The collision occurred as the cruise ship was docked and passengers were disembarking; the tanker reportedly lost control due to a possible steering failure, which is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.
- Emergency responders from multiple agencies, along with private vessels, conducted a large-scale rescue operation described by the New Orleans mayor as a "miracle on the Mississippi."
- The American Heritage, built in 2015 and capable of carrying up to 150 passengers, was struck by the tanker which specializes in transporting asphalt and bitumen.
