A tanker collided with a docked river cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, triggering a massive rescue operation that left 32 people hospitalized with non-critical injuries.
The collision occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on November 13, 2026, when the Atlantic Asphalt, a tanker vessel, struck the American Heritage, a paddlewheel riverboat operated by American Cruise Lines, while it was tied up at the Port of New Orleans. Reports on the number of people aboard varied, with some officials citing approximately 129 passengers and others indicating as many as 190 people were on the vessel.
Emergency responders, including the Coast Guard, New Orleans Police, and the New Orleans Fire Department, responded to the scene. Nearby tugboat operators and private workers also rushed to the water to assist passengers.
"Thank you to the United States Coast Guard for doing such an incredible job of rescue, and other work, having to do with the crash of the two ships in Louisiana. Likewise, all of Law Enforcement and First Responders were fantastic…" – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/QKxx9F8QSz
While early reports described a chaotic scene as the ship sank, officials later confirmed that all passengers and crew members were accounted for. “We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said.
Thirty-two people were transported to local hospitals, including two harbor police officers; officials confirmed that none of the injuries were critical.
We are aware of the incident on the Mississippi and we are in close contact with local officials and law enforcement. I am headed to New Orleans now.
Investigation into the collision
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation into the cause of the allision. Coast Guard Capt. Melanie Burnham confirmed that the search and rescue phase had concluded and that investigators were working to determine why the tanker lost control.
“There seems to be some kind of a loss of steering,” Burnham told reporters, adding that the specific reason for the steering failure remained unknown. Chief Melanie Montroll of the New Orleans Harbor Police also said that initial evidence pointed to issues maneuvering the tanker.
The Atlantic Asphalt is a tanker registered in the Marshall Islands. According to maritime data, the vessel specializes in transporting asphalt and bitumen, substances often heated to high temperatures to maintain fluidity during transit.
Emergency response and river traffic
The U.S. Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96. The New Orleans ferry service was also suspended following the collision. The city worked alongside the Red Cross and University Medical Center to provide support for the survivors, many of whom were from out of town and lost personal belongings, including identification and car keys, during the sinking.
Earlier this afternoon a tanker hit a cruise ship along the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The cruise ship took on water and eventually flipped. Because of the heroic work of our first responders ALL PASSENGERS have been accounted for. This is nothing short of a miracle.… pic.twitter.com/dol1SsaRcN
The American Heritage, built in 2015, was in the midst of an eight-day, seven-night “Highlights of the Mississippi” cruise that had departed New Orleans with plans to travel upriver toward Baton Rouge and Vicksburg before returning. American Cruise Lines confirmed the vessel was involved in the collision while docked and stated, “Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved.”
The NTSB confirmed it would send a “Go Team” to the scene to determine the sequence of events leading to the crash.
NTSB is launching a Go Team to investigate the collision of a tank vessel and a riverboat-style passenger vessel in New Orleans. The team expects to arrive tomorrow morning. Time and location of media briefings will be posted to this account once confirmed. Board Member John…
More on New Orleans
Due to the residual delays from the nationwide ground stop, the NTSB will no longer send a board member and will instead send a team of investigators by ground to the scene of the vessel collision in New Orleans. No media briefings are planned at this time. Updates on the… https://t.co/3s6A2m1YIc
UPDATE: All individuals involved in today's vessel collision on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans have been accounted for, with no reported fatalities or critical injuries. For the latest information read the City's full press release at https://t.co/peElpWszmQ pic.twitter.com/jwRPeACPMv
NOLAREADY: For information on missing persons potentially involved in today's river collision, call 3-1-1 in New Orleans or 504-539-3266 outside New Orleans.
WCK is responding in New Orleans, where a tanker collided with a river cruiser carrying over 100 passengers, causing the cruise to capsize. As emergency responders work to bring people ashore from the Mississippi River, WCK teams are on the ground and working to provide meals to… pic.twitter.com/mNGN6NRENo