New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno called the incident a “miracle on the Mississippi,” noting at a press conference that all aboard the American Heritage had been accounted for. The vessel, operated by American Cruise Lines, was struck by the Atlantic Asphalt, a larger tanker, while preparing to disembark passengers. The impact caused the riverboat to list and eventually flip, sending dozens into the water.

Eyewitness Devon Flanagan described the scene as “chaos,” with multiple vessels and rescuers attempting to assist while people were still in the water. The Port of New Orleans Administration Building became a shelter for rescued passengers, port officials said.

The collision occurred near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Harbor Police Chief Melanie Montroll said passengers were still aboard when the boat began to take on water, and they were “not able to get everyone off before the boat started to take on water.” Rescue operations were under way by late afternoon.

The American Heritage, built in 2015, can carry up to 150 passengers and was finishing an eight-day cruise along the Mississippi River. American Cruise Lines said it was working with the Coast Guard and would provide more information when available.

The Atlantic Asphalt, a 160-meter vessel, was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag. The Hindu reported the tanker specializes in carrying asphalt and bitumen, but it is not clear whether it was carrying cargo at the time of the collision.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham said there was “some type of a loss of steering” with the tanker. Moreno credited first responders for the successful rescue. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the operation a “miracle” and pledged to investigate the cause.

LCMC Health confirmed that approximately two dozen patients were brought to University Medical Center New Orleans and other network hospitals. No critical injuries were reported.

The collision occurred in a heavily trafficked stretch of the Mississippi River near the Crescent City Connection bridge. The river in that area reaches depths of up to 200 feet and is known for powerful currents and whirlpools.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.