Tanker Hits Cruise Ship in New Orleans, 32 Hospitalized

A tanker crashed into a cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans around midday on Friday, November 13, causing the vessel to roll over and partially sink and throwing passengers into the river.

The ship, the American Heritage, was tied up at a pier when it was struck. According to US media reports, the tanker had apparently lost its steering before it hit the passenger vessel with great force.

The impact caused the cruise ship to begin listing. Within a short time it started to sink and eventually capsized. Passengers and crew members fell into the river as rescue teams, port workers and crews from nearby vessels rushed to help.

200 aboard: tanker capsizes cruise ship, passengers thrown into the water (Photo: Social media)

Authorities said about 200 people, both passengers and crew, were on board at the time. Some 87 passengers had already gone ashore before the ship overturned. The vessel had docked about two hours earlier to let passengers disembark.

A total of 32 people were taken to hospitals, including two port police officers who fell into the water during the rescue. Authorities stressed that none of the injured were in critical condition and that all passengers and crew had been accounted for. The tanker's crew was unhurt.

Port police, firefighters, the US Coast Guard and workers from other vessels in the area took part in the rescue. Passengers who fell into the water were pulled out by boats and nearby vessels, while others clung to parts of the ship that remained above the surface until rescuers reached them.

200 aboard: giant tanker sinks cruise ship (Photo: Social media)

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described the fact that everyone had been accounted for as a miracle on the Mississippi River. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also praised the rescue operation, along with the civilians and crew members who stepped in to help.

River traffic in the area was restricted after the accident. The tanker was towed away, but the cruise ship remains lying on its side near the pier. According to the Coast Guard, about 16,000 gallons of fuel will have to be safely pumped out of the ship before it can be removed, and the work could take weeks.

Federal authorities are investigating the collision. A preliminary assessment points to a malfunction in the tanker's steering system, but the exact cause has not yet been determined.