A major rescue operation unfolded on Friday (13 November) on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, United States, after a tanker collided with a moored cruise ship, causing it to capsize and partially sink. Despite the force of the collision, all passengers and crew members were rescued, while 32 people were taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered critical.

Local authorities described the outcome as a “miracle on the Mississippi”, as the swift response of emergency crews, tugboat operators and police officers prevented any loss of life. According to the Associated Press, a total of 180 passengers and crew members were aboard the vessel at the time of the accident.

"Oh Gosh! Hang on baby, hang on" PASSENGER ABOARD A CRUISE LINER REACTS WITH ALARM AS SHE SEES A GIGANTIC OIL TANKER HEADING STRAIGHT FOR HER CABIN. A tanker has collided with an American Cruise Lines riverboat docked on the Mississippi River near New Orleans after reportedly losing control. The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage paddle-wheeler near the French Quarter around 12:30 pm. 32 people have been taken to hospitals, none with critical injuries. All passengers are accounted for. Between 180 and 190 people were aboard the cruise ship.

— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) November 14, 2026

The collision and the dramatic evacuation

The accident occurred at approximately 12.30pm local time, when the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage river cruise ship, which was moored at the Port of New Orleans.

The force of the impact caused the cruise ship to begin taking on water and listing heavily before rolling onto its side. Some passengers had already begun disembarking, while others were attempting to abandon the vessel as it partially sank into the river.

There were approximately 129 passengers aboard the American Heritage, along with crew members. The vessel had arrived at the port around two hours before the collision, completing an eight-day cruise along the Mississippi River, with destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Tugboat operators, Coast Guard personnel, police officers and other emergency responders rushed to the scene, helping passengers evacuate the vessel and rescuing those who had fallen into the water. Authorities temporarily suspended river traffic to facilitate the search and rescue operation.

INSANE: Footage shows aftermath of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker crash into the American Heritage river cruiser on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. 129 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. This is horrifying. Pray 🙏🏻 https://t.co/WiLXHessaj

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 13, 2026

“Nobody is missing, it really is a miracle”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirmed at a press conference that everyone aboard had been accounted for and that there had been no fatalities.

“Not a single person is missing, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” she said, crediting rescue workers for the successful outcome of the operation.

Moreno praised those who rushed to help, noting that they had literally thrown themselves into action to save passengers.

Of those rescued, 32 were taken to hospitals in the area, with none reported to be in critical condition. Two police officers who participated in the rescue operation also required hospital treatment, although their conditions were described as good.

“It sounded like a war film. It was like a scene from Titanic”

Eyewitness Jamie Holford gave a dramatic account of the accident to CBS, describing the moment of the collision.

He said he saw the cruise ship strike the dock after being hit by the tanker, while the noise that followed was deafening. “It sounded like a war movie. Imagine tonnes of steel being crushed together. That was the sound,” he said. “It was like a scene from Titanic,” he added, describing the sight of the vessel listing dangerously in the water.

Holford said he could see passengers and crew members screaming and crying as they attempted to escape the vessel while it was sinking.

New Orleans local NBC affiliate WDSU has obtained video showing the initial impact between the tanker Atlantic Asphalt and riverboat American Heritage earlier today. The riverboat had 129 people on board who were in the process of disembarking when it was hit. The video shows the tanker hit the riverboat broadside. Witnesses report that the ship dropped its anchors before impact, in an effort to arrest its travels. No audible warnings are heard from the start of the video through the impact.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 13, 2026

Investigators examine possible steering failure aboard the tanker

The precise cause of the accident remains under investigation, with preliminary indications pointing to a possible problem with the Atlantic Asphalt’s ability to maintain its course.

US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said that “there appears to have been some kind of loss of steering”.

Authorities have not yet reached a definitive conclusion about the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also participating in the investigation and has announced that it is dispatching a specialist team to examine the incident.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stressed that vessels had been navigating the Mississippi safely for many years and pledged that the circumstances of the accident would be thoroughly investigated.

This is insane.. 129 people were getting off a river cruise in New Orleans today when a 500 foot tanker reportedly lost steering and slammed into their docked ship The whole boat rolled over and sank in the Mississippi with people still on it Harbor Police dove in after them, and somehow every single person made it out alive. 32 hospitalized, none critical.

— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) November 13, 2026

Trump praises rescuers for their “incredible job”

US President Donald Trump also commented on the rescue operation, congratulating the US Coast Guard in a post on his Truth Social platform and praising its “incredible job”.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the Coast Guard had supported the efforts of local emergency response teams.

Governor Jeff Landry also described the successful rescue as a “miracle on the Mississippi”, highlighting the large number of people who had been aboard the cruise ship.

The American Heritage and its eight-day cruise

The American Heritage belongs to American Cruise Lines and operates river cruises throughout the United States.

Built in 2015, the vessel can accommodate up to 150 passengers. It features at least four decks, a glass-enclosed restaurant, a fitness centre and three passenger lounges.

The ship was completing an eight-day journey along the Mississippi when the accident occurred, prompting a major mobilisation of emergency services in New Orleans.

The company said it was working closely with the Coast Guard and local authorities and expressed concern for everyone affected by the collision.