What we covered here
• A tanker collided with a river cruise that was docked at the Port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River, with more than 180 people onboard, according to officials.
• The Atlantic Asphalt tanker “lost control” and hit the American Cruise Lines riverboat, City of New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said during a news conference. The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m., according to port officials.
• Thirty-two people are being treated at local hospitals, but none have suffered critical injuries, the mayor said. All cruise passengers are accounted for, she added.
Updates
(26)Our live coverage has ended for the day. Click here to read more about the collision near the Port of New Orleans.
Between 180 and 190 passengers were aboard the ship, mayor says
Between 180 and 190 passengers were aboard the cruise ship, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said at a Friday news conference.
Everyone is accounted for and 32 passengers were taken to local hospitals for non-critical injuries, Moreno said.
Some passengers abandoned personal items on the sinking ship and are staying at local hotels, she added.
Moreno said the city is working with partners including the American Red Cross to ensure all passengers have access to accommodation, transportation and necessary prescription medications.
The Red Cross told CNN its volunteers are on the scene providing water, blankets and emotional support to those affected.
“We are working alongside first responders and community partners to help identify needs and provide comfort and care during this difficult time. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident,” the organization said in a statement.
Trump praises emergency response to Mississippi River collision
President Donald Trump thanked the US Coast Guard, law enforcement and first responders for their response to the incident.
“Incredibly, nobody was killed by this major collision,” he said in a Truth Social post Friday evening.
Trump also thanked Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry for his “outstanding leadership during this very agonizing period of time.”
NTSB team handling collision investigation may be affected by ground stop, Scalise says
The nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop may be affecting a National Transportation Safety Board team’s ability to travel to New Orleans, according to US Rep. Steve Scalise.
“They’re trying to figure out if they can get that plane going. If not, they’re going to have to find an alternative means. But they have a team ready to get here,” Scalise said at a Friday news conference.
NTSB told CNN they are launching a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. The team is expected to arrive in the city tomorrow, the agency said in a statement.
Crescent City Connection bridge not hit, Louisiana governor says
The Crescent City Connection, a bridge spanning the Mississippi River, was not hit by either vessel, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said.
The state Department of Transportation and Development inspected and confirmed the bridge wasn’t affected by the collision nearby, Landry added.
The Crescent City Connection is used by vehicular traffic on US Highway 90 Business.
Investigation is underway, Landry says
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said there “is an active investigation” into the collision.
“We want to make sure that this investigation is thorough, we understand exactly what happened, so that we can triage those problems and ensure that the Mississippi River remains a very safe place,” he said.
The governor added that the Mississippi River in Louisiana has operated with “impeccable safety for a very long time,” saying any necessary safety adjustments will be made so people can know they are safe when traveling on the water.
Two officers who fell in water in “good condition,” harbor police chief says
At least two harbor police officers fell into the water while helping to evacuate passengers from the capsizing cruise ship, said Port of New Orleans Harbor Police Chief Melanie Montroll in the news conference.
Two of these officers are in the hospital now in “good condition,” she said.
She added the immediate emergency response made a difference in the rescue operation.
Firefighters used ladders over the dock to rescue people, mayor says
New Orleans firefighters immediately responded to the collision and used ladders over the dock to try to rescue people, Mayor Helena Moreno said.
Other ships on the Mississippi River also responded to try to get people out of the water, Moreno added.
There are no people unaccounted for, while 32 passengers who were on the cruise ship are at local hospitals, Moreno said.
She called it a “miracle on the Mississippi,” thanking first responders and others who responded to the scene.
Tanker "lost control" before it hit riverboat, mayor says
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker “lost control” and hit the American Cruise Lines riverboat this afternoon, City of New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said during a news conference.
The tanker appears to have had “some type of a loss of steering,” said U.S. Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham, but added they don’t know the “exact reason why.” The person driving the tanker was a river pilot, she said.
President called and offered support after vessel collision, governor says
President Donald Trump called and offered whatever support the state needed after to vessels collided in the Mississippi River, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said during a news conference.
Landry praised all of the agencies involved, saying their constant partnership prepared them for this type of situation.
“The Mississippi River is not some quiet pond, right? I mean, there were challenges out there,” he said.
Coast Guard moves to reopen the river, commander says
US Coast Guard is now working to reopening the river after it was shut down immediately following the collision, according to Capt. Melanie Burnham, commander of Coast Guard’s Sector New Orleans.
Coast Guard shut down passages along the Mississippi River as soon as officials heard about the incident, Burnham told reporters today.
“We’re going to get the river opened as soon as possible so we can keep commerce flowing,” Burnham told reporters.
She said it will likely be one-way traffic initially.
Additionally, Coast Guard is working with salvage assistance teams to salvage the vessel and remove it from the area. Officials are continuing their investigation at the scene, she said.
32 people from cruise are at hospitals and all passengers are accounted for, mayor says
Thirty-two passengers from the cruise ship are at local hospitals and none of them have any critical injuries, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said at a news conference Friday evening.
“At this moment, the information that we have, we have zero people unaccounted for,” she added, calling the news a “miracle.”
Moreno thanked local, state and federal first responders at the scene, as well as state Gov. Jeff Landry.
Officials hold news conference to update on New Orleans boat collision
City and state officials are holding a new conference to provide an update about the collision between a cruise ship and a tanker collided on the New Orleans riverfront.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry are expected to speak alongside local authorities and US Coast Guard officials.
Location of where the collision occurred
Local hospital system receives about 2 dozen patients
University Medical Center New Orleans and other LCMC Health hospitals have received about two dozen patients from the crash, which they are currently evaluating, the hospital system said.
“Our medical teams are currently evaluating patients and providing appropriate care while coordinating with emergency responders,” they said in the statement. “As this remains an active situation, we will provide additional information as appropriate.”
Passengers grip onto the railing as the river boat tips over
Passengers aboard the New Orleans river cruise ship were seen gripping the railing this afternoon after it was struck by a tanker ship.
Coast Guard supporting Louisiana in collision response, DHS secretary says
The US Coast Guard is supporting Louisiana in responding to the collision on the Mississippi River, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a social media post.
Mullin said DHS, which oversees the Coast Guard, is coordinating closely with the state and “throwing every asset we have” to help with rescues.
“Our prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible tragedy,” he added.
CNN has reached out to the Coast Guard for information.
Video shows moment tanker collides with river cruise ship
Videos provided by Barry Kern with Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World shows the moment a tanker crashed into a river cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans earlier this afternoon.
In the video, the tanker is seen heading toward the cruise ship. Moments later, you hear the sound of metal on metal as the vessels collide.
Audio recordings capture initial response to the collision
“We have a river boat taking on water steadily,” authorities said around the time the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines vessel, according to audio released by New Orleans Fire and Emergency Services.
Another recording highlights a report of “a watercraft in distress” in the area of the crash.
Firefighters were on the scene assisting with water rescues, according to the recordings. Responders attempted to help get people out of the water and onto a tugboat.
Multiple people rescued, search and rescue ongoing, New Orleans officials say
Multiple people have been rescued and search and rescue operations are still ongoing, the city of New Orleans said in an update on social media. Emergency crews responded to the collision near the Port of New Orleans, the city said.
