A major rescue operation took place on Friday (Nov. 13) on the Mississippi River, in New Orleans, USA, when a tanker collided with a moored cruise ship, causing it to capsize and partially sink. Despite the severity of the collision, all passengers and crew members were rescued, while 32 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. Local authorities called it a “miracle on the Mississippi,” as the rapid response of rescue teams, tugboat operators, and police officers prevented any loss of life. According to the Associated Press, a total of 180 passengers and crew members were on board the ship at the time of the accident.
The collision and the dramatic moments of the evacuation
The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m., local time, when the tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with the riverboat American Heritage, which was docked at the port of New Orleans.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Due to the violent impact, the cruise ship began taking on water and listing before capsizing on its side. At that time, passengers had already begun disembarking, while others were trying to leave the ship as it was partially sinking in the river.
There were approximately 129 passengers on board the American Heritage, as well as crew members. The ship had arrived at the port about two hours before the collision, completing an eight-day cruise with stops along the Mississippi River, in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Tugboat operators, port authorities, police officers, and other first responders rushed to the scene, helping passengers evacuate the ship and rescuing those who had fallen into the water. Authorities temporarily suspended river traffic to facilitate the search and rescue operation.
"Oh Gosh! Hang on baby, hang on" PASSENGER ABOARD A CRUISE LINER REACTS WITH ALARM AS SHE SEES A GIGANTIC OIL TANKER HEADING STRAIGHT FOR HER CABIN. A tanker has collided with an American Cruise Lines riverboat docked on the Mississippi River near New Orleans after reportedly losing control. The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage paddle-wheeler near the French Quarter around 12:30 pm. 32 people have been taken to hospitals, none with critical injuries. All passengers are accounted for. Between 180 and 190 people were aboard the cruise ship.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) November 14, 2026
“No one is missing—it’s truly a miracle”
New Orleans Mayor Elena Moreno confirmed at a press conference that all passengers had been located and that there were no fatalities.
“Not a single person is missing—which is truly a miracle in Mississippi,” she said, attributing the operation’s success to the rescuers.
She also praised the people who rushed to help, noting that they literally threw themselves into action to save the passengers.
Of those rescued, 32 were taken to hospitals in the area, with no one in critical condition. In addition, two police officers who participated in the operation required hospital treatment, but their condition was described as good.
“It sounded like a war movie; it looked like a scene from *Titanic*”
Jamie Holford, an eyewitness to the accident, gave a harrowing account when he spoke to CBS about the moment of the collision.
As he reported, he saw the cruise ship crash into the pier after being struck by the tanker, and the noise that followed was deafening.
“It sounded like a war movie. Imagine tons of steel being crushed. That was the sound,” he said.
“It was like a scene from *Titanic*,” he added, describing the sight of the ship listing dangerously in the water.
He reported seeing passengers and crew members screaming and crying as they tried to abandon the ship while it was sinking.
Possible malfunction in the tanker’s steering system under scrutiny
The exact causes of the accident remain under investigation, with initial indications pointing to a possible problem with the Atlantic Asphalt’s steering system.
U.S. Coast Guard Captain Melanie Bernam stated that “it appears there was some sort of loss of steering capability.”
Authorities, however, have not yet reached a definitive conclusion regarding the circumstances of the collision.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also participating in the investigation and has announced that it is sending a special team of investigators to look into the incident.
Louisiana Governor Jeff LaTourette, emphasized that ships have been navigating the Mississippi safely for many years and pledged that the circumstances of the accident would be thoroughly investigated.
Trump: “Incredible work” by the rescuers
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the rescue operation; in a post on Truth Social, he congratulated the U.S. Coast Guard, referring to “incredible work.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Malin confirmed that the Coast Guard supported the efforts of local rescue teams.
For his part, Governor Jeff Landry also described the rescue as a “miracle on the Mississippi,” noting the large number of people on board the cruise ship.
The American Heritage and the eight-day cruise
The American Heritage is owned by American Cruise Lines and operates river cruises in the United States.
It was built in 2015 and can accommodate up to 150 passengers. It features at least four decks, a glass-enclosed restaurant, a gym, and three lounges for passengers.
The ship was completing an eight-day cruise on the Mississippi River when the accident occurred, prompting a large-scale mobilization of New Orleans emergency services.
The company announced that it is working closely with the Coast Guard and local authorities, expressing its concern for those affected by the collision.
Source: Proto Thema
