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A cruise ship carrying more than 130 people capsized in the Mississippi River at New Orleans on Friday after being struck by a tanker, triggering a mass rescue operation that left all passengers and crew accounted for and drew praise from city, state and federal officials as a “miracle on the Mississippi.”
The American Heritage, a paddlewheeler operated by American Cruise Lines, was docked and finishing an eight-day cruise to river destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi when the cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt struck it at around 13:30 local time (18:30 GMT). The impact caused the ship to list and then tip onto its side in the river.
Port of New Orleans figures put the number of passengers at approximately 129, in addition to crew members. Thirty-two people from the stricken vessel were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-critical. No one was reported unaccounted for.
“We have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi,” New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said at a news conference, crediting first responders who she said “literally jumped right in to help.” Tugboat operators, police and other rescuers converged on the scene as authorities shut down the Mississippi River to support the search effort.
US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said investigators were still working to establish the precise cause of the collision but noted that “there seems to be some type of a loss of steering.” Governor Jeff Landry, who also used the phrase “miracle on the Mississippi,” cited the “sheer number of people” rescued and pledged a full investigation, saying ships had operated safely on the river for years.
Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll told the news conference that calls about the collision began coming in around 13:30 EST as bystanders and rescuers started helping passengers escape the vessel as it took on water. Passengers disembarked as the ship began listing before it rolled onto its side, Mayor Moreno said.
Jamie Holford, a witness who spoke to CBS, the BBC’s US partner, described the moment of impact. “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.” Holford said he saw passengers and crew members “hollering” and “crying” as they tried to leave the sinking vessel.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said the US Coast Guard supported local rescue operations. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the rescue effort was an “incredible job.”
The American Heritage, built in 2015, can carry up to 150 guests and features a glass-enclosed restaurant, fitness centre and three guest lounges across at least four decks.