New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno has described a dramatic rescue operation on the Mississippi River as a “miracle” after a large tanker collided with a passenger riverboat, leaving the vessel capsized and dozens of people injured.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 13, 2026, when the 500-foot tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage riverboat near the Port of New Orleans as passengers were disembarking. The collision caused significant damage, eventually leaving the cruise vessel overturned and partially submerged.
Nearly 200 passengers and crew members were aboard the riverboat when the accident happened. Emergency services, including the U.S. Coast Guard, local police, firefighters and nearby boat operators, launched an extensive rescue operation to bring people to safety.
Mayor Moreno confirmed that everyone aboard had been accounted for, describing the successful operation as a “miracle on the Mississippi.” Approximately 32 people, including passengers and two harbour police officers involved in the rescue, were taken to local hospitals.
By Saturday, November 14, officials reported that most of those hospitalised had been discharged, although two patients remained in serious condition. No fatalities were reported.
Preliminary information suggests that the tanker may have experienced a loss of steering before the collision. However, authorities have not established the exact cause.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. Investigators have recovered the tanker’s voyage data recorder and are examining evidence to determine what led to the collision.
The tanker has since been removed from the immediate scene, while authorities say safely removing the severely damaged American Heritage could take several weeks.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks facing commercial and passenger vessels navigating busy waterways, while highlighting the critical role of emergency responders in saving lives during maritime disasters.
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