USA: All passengers survive after tanker hits docked river cruise ship in New Orleans

A total of 130 individuals aboard the cruise ship American Heritage have been rescued after the vessel collided with a tanker in the Mississippi River near New Orleans. The incident occurred on Friday, leaving the cruise ship listing and eventually tipping onto its side. All passengers and crew members were successfully evacuated from the ship, which was docked in New Orleans at the time of the collision. No passengers or crew members remained unaccounted for, making the situation a "miracle on the Mississippi."

Among the rescued passengers were 32 individuals who sustained non-critical injuries and were taken to the hospital. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but US Coast Guard Capt Melanie Burnham suggested a possible loss of steering as the likely reason. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno praised the first responders for their quick and effective actions, stating that "we have zero people unaccounted for, which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi."

The American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was on an eight-day cruise, calling at various destinations along the Louisiana and Mississippi waterways. At the time of the collision, there were approximately 129 passengers and crew members on board. Tugboat operators, police officers, and other rescuers swiftly arrived to assist, while traffic was temporarily halted along the Mississippi River to facilitate the rescue operation.

US President Donald Trump commended the rescue effort on social media, calling it an "incredible job." Governor Jeff Landry echoed similar sentiments, hailing the rescue as a "miracle on the Mississippi" given the large number of people saved. Jamie Holford, a witness to the crash, recounted the harrowing experience, describing the collision as sounding like a "war movie" and witnessing passengers and crew members attempting to escape the sinking vessel.