NEW ORLEANS —
Multiple agencies are responding to a boat crash in the Mississippi River.
At 12:30 p.m. the Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage while the cruise ship was docked on the Mississippi River outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place.
The American Heritage had docked approximately two hours earlier to begin passenger disembarkation, according to Port NOLA.
VIDEO: Watch the moment a tanker struck a docked cruise ship in New Orleans
At the time of the incident, approximately 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, were aboard the American Heritage.
Port NOLA Harbor Police, the New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel are on scene, conducting rescue and response operations.
VIDEO: Watch as people are rescued from the frigid Mississippi River
Passengers are being brought inside the Port of New Orleans Administration Building, located at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, for triage and assistance, according to Port officials.
“Our immediate priority is the safety of all passengers, crew members and first responders. This remains an active and evolving incident. The number of injuries and the cause of the allision have not yet been confirmed. Additional updates will be provided as information is confirmed,” the Port issued a news release.
The crash happened near the Crescent City Connection on the New Orleans side.
More than a dozen hospitalized:
According to city officials, more than a dozen people have been taken to area hospitals following the collision.
Rescues are underway, and at least 12 people are unaccounted for at this time.
VIDEO: Live look outside University Medical Center amid mass casualty response to cruise ship collision:
President Trump briefed on collision:
President Trump has been briefed on the New Orleans boat crash, per a senior White House official.
New Orleans officials respond:
Mayor Helena Moreno issued the following statement:
“Emergency crews are responding to a collision involving a cargo ship and a riverboat cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans. Multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing. Public safety agencies are coordinating response efforts, with the immediate priority being the safety and rescue of those involved. This remains an active and developing incident.”
Governor enroute:
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is on the way to New Orleans, and issued the following statement:
“We are aware of the incident on the Mississippi and we are in close contact with local officials and law enforcement. I am headed to New Orleans now.”
Coast Guard issues partial river closure:
The U.S. Coast Guard issued the following statement regarding the response:
“The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with local response partners, is responding to a vessel collision involving a tanker and a cruise ship near mile marker 96 on the Mississippi River.
“The river is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 while responders assess the situation and conduct response operations.
“This is a developing situation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
RTA suspends ferry service:
RTA Ferry services across the Mississippi River have been temporarily
suspended as a precaution after a collision involving two vessels.
Hotels for passengers:
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is working to secure 85 hotel rooms for passengers impacted by the cruise ship collison.