Tanker Collides with River Cruise Boat in New Orleans, Prompting Mass Rescue Operation
A tanker collided with the American Heritage river cruise boat in New Orleans on Friday, leading to a mass rescue operation on the Mississippi River. The incident occurred when the much larger Atlantic Asphalt tanker, which reportedly lost its steering, slammed into the docked cruise boat. The American Heritage, carrying 180 people, began to take on water and partially toppled over, causing passengers and crew to plunge into the 66-degree river. Tugboat operators, nearby workers, police, and other rescuers quickly responded to the scene. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described the event as a 'miracle on the Mississippi,' as all aboard survived the crash. Thirty-two individuals were transported to hospitals, none with critical injuries. The cruise ship, built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines, was completing an eight-day cruise.
