Tanker strikes cruise ship in New Orleans, vessel sinks

Tanker hits docked cruise ship

A tanker called Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Heritage riverboat on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday. The ship was docked when struck.

Ship sinks after losing control

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said the tanker lost control and hit the cruise ship, causing it to sink, topple over, and flip. Some people went into the water.

Nearly 200 people on board

The American Heritage had nearly two hundred people on board when the collision occurred. Thirty-two people were transported to local hospitals.

No critical injuries, all accounted for

Mayor Moreno said none of the thirty-two hospitalized people had critical injuries. She reported zero people unaccounted for, calling it a miracle on the Mississippi.

“At this moment, the information that we have, we have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi.”

Passenger describes the moment

Tamara Carrasco, a retired elementary school teacher from Atlanta, was in the dining room when she spotted the tanker. She ran to the opposite end and was knocked down by the collision.

“This is the most memorable Friday the thirteenth I've ever had.”

River closed to vessel traffic

The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic between mile markers ninety-three and ninety-six while responders assess the situation and conduct response operations.