13.11.2026 23:40
In New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, terrifying moments were experienced on the Mississippi River. A huge oil and asphalt tanker collided with a river cruise ship that was docked at the port and evacuating passengers. With the force of the collision, the ship tilted and began taking on water, and a race-against-time rescue operation was launched for the 129 passengers and crew on board.
A frightening maritime accident occurred on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. An oil and asphalt tanker collided with a river cruise ship waiting at the port to disembark passengers. After the collision, a rescue operation was launched for approximately 129 passengers and crew members on board the ship, which began to take on water as it listed.
In New Orleans, USA, a tanker sailing on the Mississippi River collided with a passenger ship docked at the port. In the accident that occurred around noon on Friday, November 13, the river cruise ship named American Heritage, owned by American Cruise Lines, was heavily damaged.
According to a statement from Port of New Orleans officials, the tanker named Atlantic Asphalt collided at around 12:30 p.m. with the passenger ship anchored near the port administration building. At the time of the collision, there were approximately 129 passengers and crew members on board.
SHIP LISTED AND SANK INTO THE WATER
After the collision, the passenger ship began to take on water as it listed. In footage shared from the scene, it was seen that the large tanker had hit the small passenger ship, the ship was gradually tilting to the side, and some people were in the river wearing life jackets.
It was reported that the disembarkation procedures for passengers had begun on the ship, which had docked at the port about two hours before the accident.
PASSENGERS MOVED TO PORT BUILDING
After the accident, the New Orleans Fire Department, police teams, port security, medical personnel, and the U.S. Coast Guard joined rescue efforts in the area.
It was announced that the passengers on board were taken to the port administration building and moved to a safe area. American Cruise Lines also announced in a statement that passengers and crew had been evacuated from the ship and that they were working in coordination with the Coast Guard and local authorities.
CAUSE OF ACCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION
Port of New Orleans officials stated in a statement after the incident that their priority was the safety of passengers, crew, and rescue teams. However, no definitive information was shared in the initial statements regarding the number of injured in the accident and the cause of the collision.
Initial assessments raised the possibility that the tanker may have lost power before the collision. However, this claim has not yet been confirmed by authorities. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.