Mississippi: 32 injured after collision between steamer and tanker

32 people were injured when a tanker collided with a cruise ship in New Orleans. There are no fatalities. According to Mayor Helena Moreno, there were 180 to 190 people on board.

On Friday afternoon, the 160-meter-long tanker “Atlantic Asphalt” rammed the much smaller river cruise ship “American Heritage” in the harbor. This tipped over, filled with water and came to rest on its side in the shallow water of the Mississippi, as television images showed.

An eyewitness reported how quickly things got dicey. “It was surreal,” he told a local television station. "It took 15 minutes from the impact to the moment the ship capsized."

Mayor speaks of a “miracle”

Passengers could be seen on deck as the ship tipped over. Because there were many seniors on board, there was concern that some could be trapped inside the ship. Rescue workers from the fire department, police, port authorities and coast guard were deployed to bring people to safety.

At least twelve people were taken out of the river during the rescue operation, Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told television station WDSU. First responders would have risked their lives. “The Mississippi is not exactly a calm pond,” he said.

There are no missing people, said Mayor Moreno. This is “a true miracle” and is mainly thanks to the rescue workers. The injured were taken to hospitals. But none of them are in mortal danger. The American Heritage had docked about two hours before the collision.

Investigations into the cause are ongoing

Shortly after the incident, Moreno said the captain had lost control of the freighter. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said a serious technical problem may have been responsible for the collision. The exact cause is still being investigated. According to Coast Guard Director Melanie Burnham, the investigation into the collision will take "some time."