Cruise ship collision in New Orleans leaves 32 hospitalised
Image courtesy of US Coast Guard Heartland's social media.
A major rescue operation on the Mississippi River brought passengers and crew to safety after a tanker struck a docked riverboat
Thirty-two people were taken to hospital after a tanker struck a river cruise ship in New Orleans, causing the passenger vessel to capsize in the Mississippi River on Friday (13 November).
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked near the Port of New Orleans when it was hit by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker at approximately 12:30 local time.
The impact caused the riverboat to take on water and overturn, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving the US Coast Guard, harbour police, firefighters, and other emergency responders.
Authorities confirmed that everyone aboard the vessel had been accounted for, with no fatalities reported. The 32 people hospitalised sustained non-critical injuries.
The American Heritage was carrying approximately 129 passengers, alongside crew members, when the collision occurred. The vessel had docked around two hours earlier and passengers were beginning to disembark.
The Coast Guard temporarily closed a section of the river to commercial traffic while emergency crews assessed the damaged vessels and coordinated rescue operations.
Investigation into cause of collision underway
The cause of the collision remains under investigation, although authorities have indicated that a possible steering failure aboard the tanker is being examined.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched investigators to New Orleans to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
American Cruise Lines confirmed that passengers and crew had been evacuated and said it was working closely with the Coast Guard and local authorities.
The company is also arranging accommodation and onward travel assistance for affected passengers.
The American Heritage, which can accommodate up to 150 guests, operates cruises along the Mississippi River, including itineraries through Louisiana and Mississippi.
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the collision or establish responsibility for the incident.
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