All people accounted for following cruise ship collision in New Orleans

/Gray News) - A tanker lost its steering and slammed into a docked American Heritage river cruise paddleboat near the Port of New Orleans on Friday.

The Details

Rescue efforts were underway immediately, with officials saying later in the day that all passengers were able to be accounted for.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said 32 people needed hospitalization, but no critical injuries were reported, calling it “a miracle on the Mississippi.”

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Buque cisterna choca contra un crucero atracado en Nueva Orleans Video from the scene following the reported collision showed boats and rescuers scrambling to get people in life jackets and out of the Mississippi River.

Moreno’s communication team said multiple people were rescued from the scene.

According to the Port of New Orleans press secretary, a tanker collided with an American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage around 12:30 p.m.

There were about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, aboard the American Heritage, Port NOLA said.

Luggage and other debris could be seen floating in the river. Survivors were taken to a Port of New Orleans building next door to the dock.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the river was closed to all vessels near the site while the rescue efforts were ongoing.

“Our hearts are with the passengers, crew, and families affected by this afternoon’s collision between a passenger vessel and a tanker on the Mississippi River in New Orleans,” the Coast Guard said.

The river cruiser was docked on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with it, officials said.

The cruise ship was built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines. It is five stories and can hold up to 150 passengers and was finishing an eight-day cruise to several Mississippi River destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it will also be joining the investigation.

Copyright 2026 WVUE via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.