Mississippi River Collision
Thirty-two people required hospital treatment after a tanker vessel lost control and struck a docked river cruise ship on Friday according to ANTARA News Riau.
The collision occurred at approximately 12:30 local time in the Port of New Orleans along the Mississippi River. The struck vessel, identified as the American Heritage in Kumparan.com reporting and as an American Cruise Lines vessel in detikNews coverage, had been moored for roughly two hours before the impact caused it to list and partially overturn.
More than 180 people were aboard the cruise ship when the tanker hit it, according to ANTARA News Riau, though Kumparan.com placed the total number of passengers and crew at more than 130. Emergency responders deployed to the scene immediately, launching a dramatic rescue operation that successfully accounted for all individuals on board.
Tanker Atlantic Asphalt rams passenger ship
The striking vessel was the tanker Atlantic Asphalt, which lost control before ramming the passenger ship, according to New Orleans Helena Moreno as cited by ANTARA News Riau. Photographs from the scene displayed the cruise ship leaning heavily to port with the large white tanker positioned directly behind it.
Following the impact, authorities brought in a tugboat to help stabilize the position of the capsized vessel in the waterway, as reported by kumparan. Port authorities suspended navigation in the surrounding area while emergency teams managed the site.
Injured passengers avoid critical conditions as Trump praises responders
Out of the dozens transported for medical care, none of the injured passengers suffered critical conditions, ANTARA News Riau reported. United States Donald Trump addressed the incident on social media.
“Secara luar biasa, tidak ada seorang pun yang tewas dalam tabrakan besar ini. Sebanyak 32 orang berada di rumah sakit,” tulis Trump, according to ANTARA News Riau.
Trump praised the U.S. Coast Guard, law enforcement, and emergency responders for their rapid deployment, while also acknowledging Louisiana Jeff Landry for his leadership during the crisis. State leadership later characterized the absence of fatalities during the severe collision as a “miracle on the Mississippi River,” according to detikNews.
Vessel Incident Questions
Which vessels were involved in the New Orleans collision?
The collision involved the tanker Atlantic Asphalt and the passenger ship American Heritage.
How many people were hospitalized after the crash?
A total of 32 people were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment following the impact.
Were there any fatalities reported from the river incident?
No deaths or critical injuries resulted from the collision, which occurred while the passenger vessel was docked at the Port of New Orleans.
Otoritas menutup jalur pelayaran sementara penyebab kecelakaan diselidiki
Otoritas pelabuhan menyatakan jumlah korban luka dalam insiden tersebut masih belum dapat dipastikan, according to kumparan. Officials kept local shipping lanes temporarily closed to clear the channel and support ongoing response efforts.
Hingga kini, penyebab pasti kecelakaan tersebut masih belum diketahui, Kumparan.com reported.
Earlier coverage: Tanker Collides With Cruise Ship in Mississippi, Passengers Evacuated