Everyone aboard a river cruise boat struck by a tanker on the Mississippi River in New Orleans has survived, while 32 people were taken to hospital with no critical injuries reported.
Update — 14 November 2026: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed that nobody remained unaccounted for following the rescue operation. The updated official position materially supersedes the initial report below, which was published while rescues were still under way.
The collision happened on Friday afternoon and involved the Atlantic Asphalt tanker and the American Heritage, a paddlewheel vessel operated by American Cruise Lines. The passenger boat was at the Port of New Orleans when it was hit, according to reports citing emergency and port officials.
Passengers rescued from the river
The Associated Press reported that the American Heritage was partially submerged after the impact. Video from the scene showed people in the water wearing life jackets as the vessel listed.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services Lieutenant Stephanie Norwood told AP that all relevant agencies were responding to the rescue. The Washington Post reported that firefighters had rescued people from the water and that passengers were taken to the port administration building for triage and assistance.
The Associated Press later reported, citing Mayor Moreno’s news conference, that all passengers and crew were accounted for. Thirty-two people were taken to hospital, but none had critical injuries. AP said there were about 180 people aboard in total, including 129 passengers and crew members.
Cause remains under investigation
The cause of the collision has not been confirmed. The emergency response involved Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans fire and police departments, the US Coast Guard and medical teams, according to the Washington Post.
The American Heritage is a Mississippi River paddlewheeler built in 2015 with capacity for up to 150 guests, according to American Cruise Lines’ vessel information.
Investigation continues
The immediate rescue operation has ended with everyone accounted for. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and BaretaNews will update this report if investigators establish material new facts about how the tanker struck the docked passenger vessel.
Featured image: an oil tanker at Al Basrah Oil Terminal in the Persian Gulf in November 2005. Historical US Navy file photograph by Photographer’s Mate Airman Eben Boothby, public domain via Wikimedia Commons. The image is illustrative and does not depict the New Orleans collision.
