NEW ORLEANS — A tanker collided with a river cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, and 32 people were taken to hospitals as the stricken vessel began sinking, officials said.
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage at about 12:30 p.m. local time while the riverboat was docked at the Port of New Orleans, port spokesperson Kimberly Curth said. About 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard.
Mayor Helena Moreno said the tanker “lost control” before the collision. Of the 32 people taken to hospitals, none had critical injuries, the mayor said.
The riverboat had docked about two hours earlier so passengers could begin disembarking. After the strike it began sinking and rolled onto its side, and the mayor’s office said multiple people were rescued from the water.
The New Orleans Fire Department sent 23 units and 57 personnel to the port. The Coast Guard closed the river to traffic between mile markers 93 and 96, WDSU reported.
American Cruise Lines said guests and crew were evacuated and that it was “deeply concerned for everyone involved.” Officials have not said what caused the collision.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATE — 6:15 p.m. ET, Nov. 13, 2026: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said all 32 people taken to hospitals had no critical injuries, and: “At this moment, the information that we have, we have zero people unaccounted for.” The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators, expected to arrive Saturday morning. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
