Tanker Collides With River Cruise Liner Carrying More Than 130 in New Orleans

A tanker collided with a river cruise liner carrying more than 130 people on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, November 13, according to The Guardian. The collision happened around 12:30 p.m. local time.

The cruise vessel is American Heritage, operated by American Cruise Lines. The tanker, a cargo ship built to carry liquids in bulk, struck the vessel in the river that runs through the city toward the Gulf of Mexico. According to The Guardian, about 129 passengers were on board, in addition to crew.

The cruise liner was taking on water after the collision, and rescue efforts were underway, according to the same report.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed the incident on the Mississippi River. He said he was in contact with local officials and law enforcement about the collision.

The Mississippi is one of the largest waterways in the United States, and the stretch through New Orleans carries heavy commercial traffic, including tankers, barges and passenger vessels. Large ships on the river pass close to one another in busy reaches, and collisions between vessels of different kinds are one of the situations that river authorities and emergency crews plan for.

Further details on the condition of the passengers and crew, and on how the collision happened, were still emerging as of the latest reporting.