All rescued from cruise ship hit by tanker on the Mississippi, 32 in hospital
Everyone aboard the cruise ship American Heritage, which was struck by a tanker and left lying on its side in the Mississippi River in New Orleans, has been rescued. Officials said some 130 people on the ship were rescued and no one is unaccounted for. Officials hailed the outcome as a 'miracle on the Mississippi'.
Calls about the collision came in around 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT) on Friday, Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll told a news conference. People began trying to help passengers escape the boat as it took on water.
According to the Port of New Orleans, there were about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, on the paddlewheeler American Heritage at the time of the collision. The ship was docked when it was hit by the cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt and was left lying on its side in the river.
The collision left 32 people from the stricken riverboat in hospital, but their injuries are non-critical. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno told the news conference: 'We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi.'
Mayor Moreno said all credit in the rescue effort went to first responders who 'literally jumped right in to help'. Tugboat operators, police and other rescuers rushed to help, and officials shut down the Mississippi River for the search effort. Passengers had begun disembarking as the vessel started listing before tipping on to its side.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said: 'There seems to be some type of a loss of steering.'
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also hailed the rescue as a 'miracle on the Mississippi', given the sheer number of people who were on the cruise ship and were rescued. He said ships have operated safely on the Mississippi River for years and pledged to investigate what happened.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the rescue was an 'incredible job'. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said the US Coast Guard also supported local rescue operations.
Jamie Holford, a witness to the crash, told the BBC's US partner CBS that he saw the cruise ship hit the dock following the collision. 'It sounded like a war movie. Just imagine tons of steel crunching. That's what it sounded like,' he said. 'It looked like something off the Titanic.' He added that he saw passengers and crew members 'hollering' and 'crying' as they tried to get off the ship while it was sinking.
The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was finishing an eight-day cruise to Mississippi River destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi. According to its website, the vessel can carry up to 150 guests and features a glass-enclosed restaurant, a fitness centre and three guest lounges. Built in 2015, the vessel has at least four decks.
