Cruise Ship Capsizes After Tanker Slams Into It on the Mississippi River in New Orleans
Written by Kiss Media on 13 November 2026
A river cruise ship capsized on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon after a tanker slammed into it while it was docked, sending passengers into the water and setting off a massive rescue.
The tanker Atlantic Asphalt struck the American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage around 12:30 p.m. near the Crescent City Connection bridge, outside the Port of New Orleans headquarters. The riverboat, a 150-passenger paddlewheeler, had tied up about two hours earlier so passengers could begin disembarking after a cruise from Natchez.
Video from the scene shows the American Heritage rolling sharply onto its side against the seawall, its lower decks underwater, with the tanker’s bow sitting just off its stern. About 129 passengers were aboard, along with crew members.
At least a dozen people ended up in the river. Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said at least 14 people were pulled from the water, and news reports said at least a dozen passengers were taken to local hospitals. Not everyone had been accounted for as of Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Coast Guard, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans police, EMS and Port NOLA Harbor Police all responded, and the river was closed to vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96. Passengers were moved into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage.
Port officials said the number of injuries and the cause of the collision have not been confirmed. This is a developing story.
Source: Port of New Orleans, WDSU, NY Post, gCaptain
