Atlantic Asphalt tanker hits the docked American Heritage riverboat near New Orleans
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the docked riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans around 12:30 p.m. Friday, capsizing the vessel and prompting a rescue effort. The port said about 129 passengers, plus crew, were aboard; WWNO reported 32 people were injured and no passengers were missing.
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Port officials said the boat had docked about two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation. American Cruise Lines, which manages the vessel, said passengers and crew were evacuated and that it was coordinating with the Coast Guard and local authorities.
Video showed the boat on its side against the dock, with people in life jackets in the water, WWNO reported. The station said the cause remained unknown and investigators were working to determine what happened.
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- ABC News — Tanker collides with riverboat with 129 passengers on board in New Orleans: Officials
- CBS News — Tanker hits river cruise boat in New Orleans on Mississippi River; rescues are underway
- NBC News — Rescue underway after an oil tanker collides with a New Orleans river boat
- Deutsche Welle — Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River
- ABC7 New York — Emergency crews responding to vessel collision near Port of New Orleans on Mississippi River
- wwno.org — Tanker strikes paddlewheel cruise ship in New Orleans; 32 injured, no passengers missing
- wdsu.com — Mississippi river boat crash: Live updates amid rescue
- fox8live.com — Source: River cruiser carrying 150 people taking on water near Port of New Orleans, rescue efforts underway