‘Miracle’ on the Mississippi: Passengers Rescued After New Orleans Riverboat Capsized in Tanker Collision

Collision Sends Passengers Into Water

Sources said the tanker struck the boat broadside with force. A crew member told ABC News he felt the vessel shake and first thought the captain was moving it.

Evacuation And Rescue Effort

Passengers started disembarking after the impact, but the riverboat began taking on water and eventually flipped, a woman said at a Friday news conference. Some people were unable to leave before it capsized and ended up in the river.

Police helped with the evacuation, and other boats carried remaining passengers to safety, authorities said. Thirty passengers and two officers were hospitalized with non-critical injuries; officials said no children were involved and no one was unaccounted for.

Investigation Underway

The search and rescue operation has ended, officials said. The riverboat’s operator, American Cruise Lines, said guests and crew were evacuated and that it was working with the Coast Guard and local authorities.

Burnham said the incident remains under investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team expected to arrive by Saturday morning. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said officials would determine what happened and consider needed safety changes. The Coast Guard will evaluate when the waterway can reopen.

Crew And Officials Respond

A crew member, identified as Zayvion, said staff train weekly for emergencies of this kind. The team stayed calm and helped guide shaken passengers to safety, he said.

New Orleans fire and police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard were among the agencies that responded. At the news conference, a woman called having no one missing “a miracle on the Mississippi” and credited first responders.