130 rescued after tanker hits New Orleans cruise ship
Source: Reuters (adapted)
Rescuers saved around 130 people from a docked cruise ship in New Orleans, US after a tanker struck the vessel.
The cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt hit the cruise ship American Heritage, leaving the riverboat lying on its side in the Mississippi River. The collision sent 32 people from the stricken riverboat to the hospital with non-critical injuries, while leaving no one unaccounted for. Officials hailed the outcome as a “miracle on the Mississippi”.
Although authorities continue to investigate the crash’s exact cause, US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said, “There seems to be some type of a loss of steering.”
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno told a news conference that first responders deserve all credit for the rescue operation, noting they “literally jumped right in to help”. Moreno added, “We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi.”
Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll told the news conference that emergency calls about the collision arrived around 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT) on Friday, as bystanders tried assisting passengers escaping the vessel as it took on water.
According to the Port of New Orleans, about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard the American Heritage when the collision occurred. Mayor Moreno explained that passengers began disembarking from the paddlewheeler vessel, operated by American Cruise Lines, as it listed and eventually tipped onto its side.
Tugboat operators, police, and other rescuers rushed to aid the operation, prompting officials to close the Mississippi River for search efforts. The American Heritage was completing an eight-day cruise visiting Mississippi River destinations across Louisiana and Mississippi.
Responding to the event, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that responders performed an “incredible job”.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the US Coast Guard supported local emergency operations. Governor Jeff Landry likewise celebrated the rescue as a “miracle on the Mississippi” considering the “sheer number of people who were on that cruise ship” who survived.
Landry noted that ships have navigated the Mississippi River safely for years and pledged a full investigation into the incident.
Eyewitness Jamie Holford told the BBC’s US partner CBS that he watched the cruise ship strike the dock after colliding with the tanker. Holford remarked, “It sounded like a war movie. Just imagine tons of steel crunching. That’s what it sounded like. It looked like something off the Titanic.”
He further described seeing passengers and crew members “hollering” and “crying” as they scrambled off the sinking ship.
According to its website, the American Heritage can host up to 150 guests and features a glass-enclosed restaurant, a fitness centre, and three guest lounges. Built in 2015, the vessel features at least four decks.
Source: BBC (adapted)
