A tanker rammed a docked river cruise ship carrying 129 passengers in New Orleans Friday, leaving at least two dead and dozens rescued.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage river cruiser on the Mississippi River around 12:30 p.m. as it was beginning to disembark passengers, triggering a massive rescue operation by the New Orleans Fire Department, Police, U.S. Coast Guard, and emergency medical personnel. First responders brought survivors ashore for triage while search-and-rescue teams continued to account for missing passengers. The cause of the collision remains under investigation and the exact number of injuries has not been confirmed. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry traveled to the scene, and city officials urged the public to avoid the area to allow responders to work.