Passengers were forced to swim for safety after a large tanker crashed into a docked cruise ship in New Orleans.
The impact left the five-storey cruise vessel leaning on its side and partly submerged in the Mississippi River. More than 30 people were taken to hospitals following the incident.
However, authorities confirmed that everyone aboard had been accounted for, with no fatalities reported.
The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026. The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage near the Port of New Orleans.
About 129 passengers and crew members were aboard the cruise ship when the incident occurred. It had docked roughly two hours earlier to begin letting passengers off.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said the tanker “lost control” before hitting the cruise vessel. However, authorities have yet to establish what caused the incident.
According to reports, 32 people were hospitalised with non-critical injuries. Rescue teams from the Coast Guard, fire department, police and nearby vessels helped evacuate those aboard.
Videos from the scene showed passengers wearing life jackets and swimming through the river. Some were also pulled from the water onto nearby vessels.
Devon Flanagan, a worker at the Port of New Orleans, described the confusion as rescuers rushed to help.
“It was just chaos,” he said. “You had all types of ships, like other barges and other companies down there trying to help out, which also was a little convoluted because you had people still in the water.”
The New Orleans cruise ship collision involved the American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines.
Built in 2015, the paddlewheel vessel can accommodate up to 150 passengers. It was completing an eight-day cruise through destinations along the Mississippi River.
Meanwhile, the tanker is a 520-foot vessel that carries asphalt and bitumen. These materials are commonly used in road construction and roofing.
It was not immediately clear whether the tanker was carrying asphalt when the crash happened.
American Cruise Lines confirmed the incident and said it was working with the Coast Guard and local authorities.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations continue.
