Cruise ship carried about 129 passengers when it was hit
A tanker collided with an overnight cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, prompting a large emergency response, according to officials.
The boat that was struck was American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage, a New Orleans port official told local news outlet WVUE. The ship had about 129 passengers — in addition to crew members — aboard at the time it was struck by the Atlantic Asphalt tanker, the outlet reported, citing the spokesperson.
An emergency response source said that there were efforts underway to rescue people from the water.
The same source said it was possible the tanker had lost power before striking the American Heritage. The source did not confirm that a power loss had occurred.
Images on social media showed the American Heritage on its side. The ship was docked on the Mississippi River outside the port of New Orleans’s administrative building when it was hit.
The Guardian reported the collision from officials and from the port official’s account relayed by WVUE, and published the story as details were still emerging. The initial report included no information on injuries, the number of crew aboard, or the condition of either vessel.
The report gave no further information on the progress of the rescue effort, the status of people in the water, or the condition of the American Heritage.