Rescue operations were underway Friday after a tanker slammed into a docked river cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
The collision involving the Atlantic Asphalt tanker and American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage occurred around 12:30 p.m. Outside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building, according to WDSU. The riverboat was carrying approximately 129 passengers at the time of impact.
Emergency crews conducted rescue and response operations throughout the afternoon. Passengers were being taken inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage and assistance, WDSU reported.
The cruise ship had docked roughly two hours earlier to let passengers disembark when the tanker struck it.
Port NOLA addressed the incident in a news release. “Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders,” the port authority stated. “This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not yet been confirmed.”
American Cruise Lines confirmed its vessel’s involvement in a statement to The Post. “American Cruise Lines can confirm that our riverboat, American Heritage, was involved in a collision while it was docked in New Orleans,” the company said.
“We are in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved. We will share more information as it becomes available.”
The cause of the collision remained under investigation Friday afternoon. Neither Port NOLA nor American Cruise Lines had confirmed any injuries by early evening.
The American Heritage is part of American Cruise Lines’ fleet of modern riverboats, which operate on the Mississippi and other U.S. Waterways. The vessel’s scheduled itinerary had brought it to New Orleans for a passenger disembarkation stop shortly before the unexpected collision.
The Coast Guard and local authorities continued their coordinated response as the investigation into the incident proceeded.