Search crews responded to the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Nov. 13 after a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker struck the American Heritage river cruise paddleboat with 195 passengers and crew members on board.
President Donald Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that nobody was killed, but 32 people were hospitalized.
“Thank you to the United States Coast Guard for doing such an incredible job of rescue, and other work, having to do with the crash of the two ships in Louisiana,” Trump wrote. “Likewise, all of Law Enforcement and First Responders were fantastic!”
The Coast Guard also confirmed in an update on X around 6:30 p.m. that all passengers and crew were accounted for with no reported casualties.
“Our focus now shifts to safely reopening the river and coordinating salvage operations,” the Coast Guard said.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said it was a “miracle” that there were zero deaths.
“This looks like it was an engineering defect that took place,” Mullin said. “Either they hit the bridge or something caused the ripple effect. I do want to announce, though, by the grace of God, we have not lost one soul.”
The collision happened near the Crescent City Connection, close to the French Quarter.
American Cruise Lines said its American Heritage boat was hit while it was docked.
“Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved,” American Cruise Lines wrote in a social media post.
Eyewitness video posted online showed the green-and-orange vessel, called the Atlantic Asphalt, hit the paddlewheel cruise boat as it appeared to be still at the dock.
The paddleboat could be seen slowly turning onto its side into the water as some passengers swam towards shore and others clung onto the capsizing leisure vessel. An individual on the tanker threw a life preserver to the passengers in the water.
Coast Guard crews were on scene with the New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans EMS, and other local partners.
Officials had closed the river to all water traffic in the area, and it remained shut down into Friday evening.
Emergency personnel and crews are on the scene after a tanker crashed into a river cruise in New Orleans on Nov. 13, 2026. (Enan Chediak/The Advocate via AP)
Trump praised Landry for his “outstanding leadership during this very agonizing period of time.”
Scalise wrote in a post on X that he was with Landry, the Coast Guard, and state and local emergency officials.
“We’re blessed to have incredible first responders who conducted a swift rescue operation, and I’m praying for all those affected,” Scalise said.
Rep. Troy A. Carter (D-La.) reacted to the incident in a social media post.
“I am devastated to hear about the ships crashing near the Port of New Orleans,” Carter wrote. “I am monitoring the situation closely and praying for the swift rescue of survivors and for all emergency crews responding to the situation.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
