An emergency rescue operation in New Orleans saved about 130 people after a paddlewheel cruise ship collided with a cargo vessel on the Mississippi River, causing the riverboat to tip onto its side. City and state leadership declared the total survival of everyone on board a "miracle on the Mississippi."
The incident occurred on Friday around 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT) when the cruise ship American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines, was struck by the cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt while docked. The collision pushed the riverboat into the dock as it took on water, listed, and eventually came to rest on its side. Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll confirmed that emergency calls began coming in rapidly as bystanders and first responders worked to evacuate people from the capsizing vessel.
All estimated 129 passengers along with crew members were accounted for following the multi-agency response. While no fatalities or missing persons were reported, emergency services transported 32 individuals to hospitals for non-critical injuries. To facilitate the search and rescue efforts, authorities temporarily shut down vessel traffic along the Mississippi River.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno commended the swift response during a news conference, crediting local first responders, police, and tugboat operators who "literally jumped right in to help." Moreno highlighted that having zero missing persons was "truly is a miracle on the Mississippi." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry similarly echoed the sentiment, praising rescuers given the high volume of people aboard and noting that ships have safely navigated the river for years. Landry promised a thorough investigation into the crash.
The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, though U.S. Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham stated that preliminary observations point to a potential mechanical issue, noting that "there seems to be some type of a loss of steering." Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard actively supported local emergency crews throughout the operation, while President Donald Trump commended the rescue effort as an "incredible job" in a post on Truth Social.
Eyewitness Jamie Holford described the terrifying moments of the crash, recalling the loud crunch of metal as the vessel hit the dock. "It sounded like a war movie. Just imagine tons of steel crunching. That's what it sounded like," Holford said, adding that it "looked like something off the Titanic" as distressed passengers and crew members shouted and cried while attempting to evacuate the sinking ship.
The American Heritage was reaching the end of an eight-day cruise visiting various Mississippi River destinations across Louisiana and Mississippi. Built in 2015, the four-deck paddlewheeler has a capacity of up to 150 guests and features amenities including a glass-enclosed restaurant, a fitness centre, and three guest lounges.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.