Rescue underway in New Orleans after tanker hits river cruise boat

A tanker collided with a river cruise boat on the Mississippi River near New Orleans on Friday, leaving the passenger vessel The American Heritage on its side and partially submerged. Rescues were already in progress according to officials. Video footage from the scene depicted the larger tanker, known as the Atlantic Asphalt, colliding with the paddlewheel cruise boat while it was docked.

Reports indicated that up to 129 individuals were on board the cruise boat at the time, though some witnesses claimed that passengers had already disembarked prior to the incident, which occurred around noon local time. Individuals were observed in the water wearing life jackets or standing near the railing as the ship continued to list further into the water.

Nearby vessels reported rescuing over a dozen individuals from the water. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has been informed of the incident on the Mississippi and is traveling to New Orleans to assist. This is an ongoing situation that will be updated as more information becomes available.