A massive asphalt tanker lost control and slammed into a docked luxury river cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans Friday afternoon, flipping the passenger vessel onto its side in a heart-stopping collision that sent people scrambling into the water, yet officials say everyone walked away in what they’re calling a “miracle on the Mississippi.”
The Marshall Islands-flagged Atlantic Asphalt, a roughly 500-foot bitumen tanker, was steaming upriver near the Crescent City Connection bridge around 12:30 p.m. when it veered hard to starboard and T-boned the American Heritage, a 295-foot paddlewheeler operated by American Cruise Lines that had docked about two hours earlier to let passengers disembark after an eight-day cruise.
Dramatic video circulating online shows the green-and-red tanker plowing into the white multi-deck riverboat amidships. Moments later, the cruise ship began listing, taking on water, and slowly rolling onto its side against the pier as onlookers filmed from the dock and emergency crews raced in.
About 129 passengers plus crew, roughly 180 to 200 people total in some estimates, were aboard the American Heritage. Roughly 87 got off before the vessel fully capsized. Others jumped into the river or clung to the high side as rescuers, including Harbor Police, firefighters, Coast Guard boats, and nearby vessels, pulled them to safety.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed at a Friday news conference that every passenger and crew member was accounted for with zero fatalities. Thirty-two people were taken to hospitals with non-critical injuries, including 30 passengers and two Harbor Police officers who went into the water during the rescue; some of those officers have since been released. No one on the tanker was hurt.
“We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” Moreno said. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry echoed the praise, calling the outcome a “literal miracle” given the river’s powerful currents and the scale of the crash.
Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham said the tanker appeared to suffer “some type of a loss of steering,” though the exact cause remains under investigation. A river pilot was at the controls. Tracking data suggests the empty tanker was heading upriver to load cargo. The American Heritage is significantly damaged and partially submerged; salvage operations are underway.
The U.S. Coast Guard closed a stretch of the Mississippi between mile markers 93 and 96 to vessel traffic. Officials said they were working to reopen the waterway as soon as possible to keep commerce moving. The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators, delayed by residual effects of a nationwide FAA ground stop, and will lead the probe alongside the Coast Guard.
American Cruise Lines said guests and crew were evacuated and that the company is working with authorities. President Trump was briefed and praised the response.
For a few terrifying minutes under a clear blue sky, a routine disembarkation turned into a full-blown river disaster. Thanks to a rapid multi-agency response and a bit of luck, it ended with everyone alive.
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