Tanker collides with river cruiser carrying nearly 150 people near Port of New Orleans, rescues underway

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno’s communication team said multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing.

UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: Governor Jeff Landry has confirmed he is aware of the incident and is heading to New Orleans as of 2 p.m.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: The Port of New Orleans press secretary says a tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage around 12:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 13).

At the time of the collision there were about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, aboard the American Heritage, Port NOLA said.

The river cruiser was docked on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place when the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided into it, Port NOLA said.

The ship docked two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, Port NOLA said.

Emergency response teams are conducting rescue and response operations. Passengers are being brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building, Port NOLA said.

THIS BREAKING NEWS STORY WILL BE UPDATED.

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