Tanker rams cruise ship in US: Vessel capsizes, more than 30 people injured
Photo: Oil tanker (Getty Images)
A tanker collided with a docked river cruise vessel on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The impact caused the vessel to capsize and sink, leaving dozens of people in the water, Reuters reports.
The accident occurred around noon on Friday, November 13. According to New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, the tanker Atlantic Asphalt lost control and collided with the paddlewheel riverboat American Heritage, which was docked at the time.
Following the collision, the cruise vessel began to sink and eventually capsized. Passengers tried to get off the vessel as quickly as possible, and some ended up in the water.
Port workers, firefighters, and other emergency services quickly arrived at the scene. Passersby and witnesses aboard other vessels also joined the rescue effort.
INSANE: Footage shows aftermath of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker crash into the American Heritage river cruiser on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 13, 2026
129 passengers were on board at the time of the crash.
This is horrifying. Pray pic.twitter.com/WiLXHessaj
Moreno called the incident a "miracle on the Mississippi." According to her, everyone who had been on board was accounted for. At the same time, 32 passengers were hospitalized. Preliminary reports indicate that none of them sustained serious injuries.
At the time of the accident, approximately 180–190 passengers and crew members were aboard the American Heritage. However, according to the American Cruise Lines website, the vessel is designed to carry 150 passengers. It was built in 2015.
According to Port Police Chief Melanie Montroll, about 87 passengers managed to get ashore before the riverboat capsized.
What is known about the cause of the accident
The US Coast Guard halted all vessel traffic in the area following the collision. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham suggested that the tanker may have experienced a malfunction in its steering system. However, no final conclusions have yet been reached regarding the circumstances of the collision.
American Cruise Lines said it was cooperating with the Coast Guard and local authorities. The company confirmed that passengers and crew members had been evacuated and expressed concern over the accident.
US President Donald Trump also reacted to the incident. In a post on Truth Social, he thanked the Coast Guard, law enforcement officers, and emergency services for their work during the rescue operation.
"Likewise, all of Law Enforcement and First Responders were fantastic! Incredibly, nobody was killed by this major collision," he wrote.
In January 2026, the Trisha Kerstin 3 ferry sank off the southern Philippines. There were 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board.
At least 15 people were killed in the accident, while another 43 were reported missing.
