All passengers rescued after tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River
A tanker lost control and struck a cruise ship near New Orleans, prompting a rescue operation that accounted for all passengers and hospitalized 32 people with non-critical injuries.
Dozens of passengers were pulled from the Mississippi River after a tanker vessel lost control and collided with a cruise ship near New Orleans at about 12:30 local time. Mayor Helena Moreno said the cruise ship toppled and began to take on water, prompting passengers to flee as the vessel started to capsize. About 87 people managed to get off the ship, while emergency crews deployed boats to assist those still in the water.
Thirty-two passengers were taken to local hospitals; none suffered critical injuries, Moreno added. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the rapid response, calling the operation a "miracle on the Mississippi."
The tanker, identified as the Atlantic Asphalt, had been docked roughly 11 nautical miles downstream since November 11 before beginning its upstream journey around 12:20. An investigation is underway, with early indications that a loss of steering may have contributed to the crash.
"It sounded like a war movie," a witness told a U.S. news partner, describing the sound of the impact.
Authorities continue to examine the cause of the collision while confirming that all passengers have been accounted for.