Tanker collides with cruise ship on Mississippi River in New Orleans

A tanker collided with an overnight cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, prompting an emergency effort to rescue people from the water, according to officials.The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage at about 12.30pm, said Kimberly Curth, the Port of New Orleans press secretary, in a statement. The American Heritage had about 129 passengers – in addition to crew members – onboard when it was hit, according to Curth.About two hours before that, the American Heritage had docked at the port to begin passenger disembarkation.An emergency response source said that there were efforts under way – including by New Orleans firefighters – to rescue multiple people from the water.That source said it was possible the tanker had lost power before striking the American Heritage.Images on social media showed the American Heritage on its side. One image in particular showed people climbing on the side of the cruise boat after it was struck, with chairs and tables strewn about.A video from local NBC News affiliate WDSU showed crew members of a tug boat working to pull people in lifejackets or holding on to flotation rings out of the river.People who had gotten off the American Heritage after it was struck were being brought inside the New Orleans port’s administration building.Beside New Orleans firefighters, port and city police, the US coast guard and local emergency medical services personnel were at the scene conducting rescue and response operations, Curth’s statement said.A statement from the US coast guard said the river “is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96,” encompassing the area where Friday’s crash occurred. That is so to assist responders as they “assess the situation and conduct response operations”, the coast guard’s statement said.Officials said they would be holding a news conference at 3pm ET to provide more updates.