CNN trending after tanker strikes American Heritage cruise ship in New Orleans

A tanker struck the American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, 13 November, prompting a large rescue operation. The incident, which drew heavy online interest and a surge of searches for CNN coverage, occurred around 12:30 p.m. local time while the cruise ship was docked outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place.

What happened at the riverfront

According to the Port of New Orleans, the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Heritage while the cruise ship was tied up on the river. The ship had docked about two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, Port NOLA said. At the time, about 129 passengers, along with crew members, were aboard.

Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. Passengers were taken into the Port of New Orleans Administration Building for triage and assistance, according to Port officials.

Video posted online showed people being pulled from the river. One widely shared clip from The New York Times, titled as a riverboat sinking after a collision with a cargo ship, captured the moment the vessel appeared to go down. Local outlets described the event as a collision, while the Coast Guard used the term allision, which refers to a moving ship striking a stationary one.

Officials respond

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said in a statement that multiple individuals had been rescued and that search-and-rescue operations were still under way. Governor Jeff Landry said he was aware of the incident and was heading to New Orleans in the afternoon.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it was closing the river to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96. In a statement, the agency said its thoughts were with the passengers, crew and families affected.

The Port of New Orleans said its immediate priority was the safety of passengers, crew and first responders. It also said the number of injuries and the cause of the collision had not yet been confirmed.

Conflicting descriptions and open questions

Reports differ on how the vessel ended up in the water. Local station WDSU described the American Heritage as having been struck while docked, and a video report said the cruise ship sank. Those details have not been confirmed by officials, and the total number of injured or missing people has not been established in the material available so far.

American Cruise Lines describes itself as the largest U.S. river and small-ship cruise line, operating more than 25 ships within the United States. The American Heritage had been on a voyage that was to take it to Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi, before turning around at Oak Alley in St. James Parish and returning to New Orleans.

What we know so far

Rescue and response efforts were ongoing in the afternoon, and passengers were being processed at the Port administration building. The cause of the collision, the number of injuries and the status of the vessel remain unconfirmed by officials. Further updates are expected from the Port, the Coast Guard and city authorities as information is verified.

Editor's note: This story is being updated as official information becomes available.