Emergency responders in New Orleans have successfully rescued all 130 people aboard the American Heritage after it collided with the cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt on the Mississippi River.
The incident, which caused the cruise ship to list and eventually tip onto its side, left 32 people hospitalized with non-critical injuries. But no-one unaccounted for, the collision left 32 people from the stricken riverboat in hospital with non-critical injuries.
Officials have officially described the outcome as a “miracle on the Mississippi” due to the successful evacuation.
US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham stated that the cause of the crash remains under investigation, though preliminary findings suggest there may have been a loss of steering. The collision occurred around 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT) on Friday, prompting an immediate response from local police, tugboat operators, and other emergency personnel who worked to secure passengers as the vessel began taking on water. Calls about the collision came in around 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT) on Friday when people began trying to help passengers escape the boat as it took on water, Port of New Orleans Chief Melanie Montroll told the news conference. In addition to crew members, on the American Heritage at the time of the collision, according to Port of New Orleans, there were about 129 passengers.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno praised the rapid response of first responders who immediately entered the water to assist. She confirmed that no individuals remain unaccounted for following the evacuation. The American Heritage, a paddlewheeler operated by American Cruise Lines, was nearing the end of an eight-day river cruise through Louisiana and Mississippi at the time of the impact. Ships have operated safely on the Mississippi River for years, Landry said, pledging to investigate what happened. That’s what it sounded like,” he said. “It looked like something off the Titanic.
Witness Jamie Holford, who observed the event, described the scene as chaotic and compared the sound of the metal-on-metal collision to a war movie. He recounted seeing passengers and crew members crying and calling for help as they attempted to flee the sinking ship, noting that the vessel appeared to hit the dock shortly after being struck by the tanker.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joined officials in expressing relief at the survival of everyone on board, emphasizing the safety record of the river in previous years and promising a thorough investigation.
President Donald Trump addressed the incident on social media, describing the rescue operation as an “incredible job,” while Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the US Coast Guard provided support to the local agencies on the scene. Just imagine tons of steel crunching.
The American Heritage, constructed in 2015, is a four-deck vessel designed for up to 150 guests, featuring amenities such as a fitness center, multiple guest lounges, and a glass-enclosed dining area. The Mississippi River was temporarily closed to vessel traffic to facilitate the ongoing search and rescue efforts following the accident. Fitness centre and three guest lounges, according to its website, the American Heritage can carry up to 150 guests and features a glass-enclosed restaurant.
