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'Miracle on Mississippi' - All rescued after cruise ship hit by tanker in New Orleans

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The collision happened around 13:30 EST on Friday as the cruise ship was finishing an eight-day voyage. First responders, police, and tugboat operators worked quickly to evacuate individuals from the tipping vessel before it came to rest on its side. Thirty-two people sustained non-critical injuries and received treatment at local hospitals. Investigators are now reviewing the events leading to the crash, with early assessments pointing to a potential steering failure on the cargo ship.

Key points

  • Officials temporarily closed the Mississippi River to secure the area and allow emergency…: Officials temporarily closed the Mississippi River to secure the area and allow emergency teams to complete rescue operations.
  • The United States Coast Guard noted that an apparent loss of steering may have contribute…: The United States Coast Guard noted that an apparent loss of steering may have contributed to the maritime collision.
  • State leadership confirmed that a full investigation will take place to determine the off…: State leadership confirmed that a full investigation will take place to determine the official cause of the river incident.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

Some 130 people on a cruise ship docked in New Orleans have been rescued after it was struck by a tanker.

The cruise ship, American Heritage, was left lying on its side in the Mississippi River after it was hit by the cargo vessel, Atlantic Asphalt.

The collision left 32 people from the stricken riverboat in hospital with non-critical injuries, but no-one unaccounted for. Officials hailed it as a "miracle on the Mississippi".

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said: "There seems to be some type of a loss of steering."

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno told a news conference that all credit in the rescue effort went to first responders who "literally jumped right in to help".

"We have zero people unaccounted for which truly is a miracle on the Mississippi," Moreno said.

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…

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