The incident occurred on November 13 around 12:30 local time on the Mississippi River. The 160-meter tanker Atlantic Asphalt, carrying asphalt and bitumen, crashed into the 90-meter five-deck liner American Heritage, which was docked at the time. Following the heavy impact, the passenger vessel began to tilt and eventually capsized. Some people ended up in the water, but thanks to the assistance of nearby vessels and the use of life jackets, everyone was successfully pulled from the water.
Casualties and Scale of the Incident
According to New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, 32 people were taken to medical facilities as a result of the accident. None of the injured sustained critical injuries. There are no fatalities or missing persons.
Vessel Occupancy Data
Causes of the Accident and Consequences
According to preliminary information, the tanker may have lost control due to a steering system malfunction, but the exact cause of the collision is still being determined. In connection with the incident, the US Coast Guard has temporarily restricted vessel movement in this section of the river. The National Transportation Safety Board has already begun investigating the incident.
