Tanker strikes cruise boat on Mississippi, leaving 129 in water

A tanker collided with the American Heritage cruise paddleboat on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday. The impact partially submerged the vessel, which was carrying 129 passengers at the time.

Video from the scene showed the large Atlantic Asphalt tanker striking the cruise boat while it appeared to be docked. Metal and glass broke during the collision. The American Heritage listed heavily, sending one side of the ship down into the water.

Rescue crews pulled more than a dozen people in lifejackets from the river. The water temperature was 66 degrees. Other passengers stood near the railings as the boat tilted further. Authorities did not immediately report on injuries or deaths.

Devon Flanagan was working at the Port of New Orleans nearby when the crash happened. He saw workers rush down the dock and noticed the American Heritage on its side. "It was just chaos," Flanagan said. "You had all types of ships, like other barges and other companies down there trying to help out, which also was a little convoluted because you had people still in the water."

The American Heritage is a five-story boat built in 2015 by American Cruise Lines. It has a capacity for up to 150 passengers. The ship was finishing an eight-day cruise to destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi when the accident occurred. The cruise line said it is working with the Coast Guard and will share more information as soon as possible.

The Atlantic Asphalt is a 520-foot vessel that sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands. According to MarineTraffic, the ship specializes in carrying asphalt and bitumen. These materials are often heated above 250 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them from solidifying. It is not yet clear if the tanker was carrying materials at the time of the crash. The ship had a final destination in New Orleans.