A tanker has struck a river cruise boat carrying 129 passengers on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, prompting a large emergency response and rescue operation.
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.
At the time of publication, authorities had not released a verified total for injuries or deaths. BaretaNews is therefore not reporting an unconfirmed casualty figure.
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.
Developing story
This is a developing incident. BaretaNews will update this report when authorities confirm the number and condition of those affected, the status of the vessels and the cause of the collision.
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.
