The New Orleans cruise ship collision ended with all 197 passengers and crew members accounted for after a tanker struck the American Heritage cruise ship while it was docked at the Port of New Orleans on Friday. Officials confirmed that no critical injuries had been reported following the incident.
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked at the port when it was hit by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker. The force of the collision caused the cruise ship to overturn and become partially submerged in the Mississippi River, triggering an emergency rescue operation.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described the outcome as a “miracle on the Mississippi”, saying that nobody remained unaccounted for after the rescue effort.
“At this moment, the information that we have, we have zero people unaccounted for,” Moreno told reporters.
She praised the emergency responders who rushed to the scene, particularly harbor police officers who were among the first to arrive and entered the water to help pull passengers and crew members to safety. Firefighters and other vessels in the area also joined the rescue operation.
The Port of New Orleans subsequently confirmed that all 197 people aboard the American Heritage had been accounted for. In a statement shared on Facebook, the port said that no critical injuries had been reported and expressed concern for everyone affected by the collision.
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Footage circulating on social media showed the moment the Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the cruise ship and the American Heritage began to overturn. Other videos showed passengers wearing life jackets and swimming away from the partially submerged vessel.
The port also commended the emergency teams and other responders who assisted during the operation.
“What could have been a devastating tragedy instead demonstrated the courage, professionalism and extraordinary coordination of those who answered the call,” the Port of New Orleans said.
The New Orleans cruise ship collision involved a passenger vessel carrying nearly 200 people and a tanker on the Mississippi River. Although all passengers and crew members were accounted for, the incident left the American Heritage partially submerged and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the impact.
