Oil Tanker Collides With Tourist Vessel Carrying 129 Passengers on Mississippi River
The crash left the paddlewheel ship partially flooded in New Orleans, sending 32 people to the hospital with no fatalities reported.
An oil tanker has collided with a tourist boat carrying 129 passengers on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, partially submerging the tour vessel and triggering an emergency rescue effort.
The incident occurred when the tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Heritage, a paddlewheel riverboat operated by American Cruise Lines that appeared to be moored at the time. The impact caused the vessel to take on water and list toward the river, prompting passengers in life jackets to gather along the railings before being brought to safety.
Emergency response teams and municipal authorities mobilized near the city port to assist passengers. Stephanie C. Norwood of the New Orleans Emergency Medical Services indicated that all relevant local agencies joined the rescue response on the water.
Local officials initially did not provide details on casualties. President Donald Trump later confirmed via Truth Social that 32 injured individuals were hospitalized and that the crash resulted in no deaths, while commending Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, the US Coast Guard, law enforcement personnel, and first responders.
Authorities have not yet clarified the precise circumstances surrounding the movement of both vessels leading up to the collision near the port.
Sky News Arabia reported the details.
