Rescue efforts are underway after a tanker ship collided with a cruise boat docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon.
It was not immediately known what caused the collision.
Kimberly Curth, a spokesperson for the Port of New Orleans, told USA TODAY that at about 12:30 p.m. local time, the tanker Atlantic Asphalt collided with the American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage while the cruise boat was docked at the port.
"Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders," the port said in a statement. "This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not yet been confirmed. Additional updates will be provided as information is confirmed."
At the time of the incident, about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard the riverboat.
Some passengers being triaged at port building
03:49 PM ET, November 13 2026, Natalie Neysa AlundOfficials said that some of the riverboat passengers were being brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place for triage and assistance.
USA TODAY has reached out to Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Police Department for more information.
Riverboat had docked two hours before collision
03:48 PM ET, November 13 2026, Natalie Neysa AlundKimberly Curth, a spokesperson for the Port of New Orleans, told USA TODAY that the American Heritage had docked approximately two hours before the collision to begin passenger disembarkation.
Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel have responded to the scene and were conducting rescue efforts, officials said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tanker collides with riverboat in New Orleans, rescues underway
