Multiple Rescued as Cruise Ship Sinks After Mississippi River Tanker Strike - Newsweek

A tanker collided with a river cruise ship while it was docked at the Port of New Orleans on Friday with 129 passengers on board.

The American Cruise Lines ship, American Heritage, was seen in videos shared to social media slanting on its side in the Mississippi River after the strike around 12:30 p.m. local time, with the tanker towering behind it.

In a statement to Newsweek, the cruise line confirmed the incident.

"We are in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities," a spokesperson said. "Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved. We will share more information as it becomes available."

Local media reported that some people had been spotted in the water near the vessel. It was not immediately clear how many people had been affected or if there had been any injuries.

"Multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing," New Orleans' mayor's office told Newsweek. "Public safety agencies are coordinating response efforts, with the immediate priority being the safety and rescue of those involved."

The Port of New Orleans told Newsweek that the Atlantic Asphalt tanker had collided with the cruise ship around two hours after it had docked for disembarkation.

"At the time of the incident, approximately 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard the American Heritage," the port's spokesperson said. "Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not yet been confirmed."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted on X that he was headed to the scene, while the city's preparedness campaign, NOLA Ready, urged locals to avoid the area.

Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel were on the scene, per the port's spokesperson. Photos and video from the scene showed first responders in the water along with some passengers wearing life jackets.

The U.S. Coast Guard told Newsweek that it was coordinating with local response partners.

"The river is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 while responders assess the situation and conduct response operations," a spokesperson said. "This is a developing situation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available."

According to vessel tracking services, the tanker involved in the incident was flagged out of the Marshall Islands and had left Paulsboro Port in New Jersey on October 26 before arriving in New Orleans Tuesday.

Newsweek reached out the New Orleans Fire Department and New Orleans Police Department for further comment Friday afternoon. It was not immediately clear who owned the tanker.

American Cruise Lines said approximately 129 passengers were on board when the cruise ship was struck.

NOLA Ready posted to X around 3:33 p.m. local time that those looking for missing persons potentially involved in the incident should call 311 in New Orleans.

Another Mississippi River cruise operator, Riverboat Twilight, posted a message to its Facebook page, saying their hearts went out to those affected.

"As fellow members of the riverboat community, we know how much care, dedication, and heart go into every journey," the company said. "From our Riverboat Twilight family to yours, we are keeping you in our thoughts and sending strength."

The U.S. Coast Guard told Newsweek the collision happened near mile marker 96 on the Mississippi River. The port's spokesperson said this was near 1350 Port of New Orleans Place.

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Samantha Beech and Anthony Murray.