A cruise ship with more than 100 aboard was docked along the Mississippi River in New Orleans when an out-of-control tanker ship rammed it, sinking it.
Rescue operations were underway.
Officials with the Port of New Orleans said there were about 129 people board the American Cruise Lines ship, which was in the process of allowing passengers to disembark.
The New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel are conducting rescue operations.
It was the tanker Atlantic Asphalt that hit the American Heritage.
🚨 OMG. Jaw-dropping footage shows the cruise ship near Port of New Orleans FLIPPING on its side and going under after a tanker rammed into it at high speed “It is turned over on its side, almost fully submerged.” Massive amounts of emergency personnel are in the area in RESCUE MODE, getting everyone out of the water Pray for everyone who was on board 🙏🏻
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 13, 2026
Watch the moment a tanker struck a cruise ship in New Orleans. Rescues are underway. 📷: Kern Studios https://t.co/ZPspGtM0Yr https://t.co/O1qGr8kImf
— wdsu (@wdsu) November 13, 2026
BREAKING: The American Heritage River Cruise ship was just struck by a cargo ship in New Orleans and is sinking – 2015 paddlewheeler holding 150 guests – Massive rescue operation underway – Passengers reported in water Pray for the passengers and first responders 🙏🏼 https://t.co/b8LALDug2W
— Eric Spracklen 🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) November 13, 2026
“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not yet been confirmed. Additional updates will be provided as information is confirmed,” the port said.
While the tanker’s speed when it hit the cruise ship, on video, appeared to be nominal, there would be a massive jolt from the impact that carried behind it thousands and thousands of tons of ship and cargo.
Later Friday, Fox News reported that New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno confirms that all passengers are accounted for and that 32 passengers are in local hospitals, but none has a critical injury.
Also, President Trump posted about the incident, thanking Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry:
“Thank you to the United States Coast Guard for doing such an incredible job of rescue, and other work, having to do with the crash of the two ships in Louisiana. Likewise, all of Law Enforcement and First Responders were fantastic! Incredibly, nobody was killed by this major collision. 32 people are in the hospital. Thank you to Governor Jeff Landry for your outstanding leadership during this very agonizing period of time. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
