The Library Media — National & World Division · National Desk
Tanker Strikes and Capsizes American Cruise Lines Riverboat Near French Quarter
By Eleanor Ever Loyal
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
A tanker struck an American Cruise Lines riverboat on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans on Friday, capsizing the cruise vessel and prompting a major rescue operation near the French Quarter, according to NBC News and The Hill.
The tanker, identified as the Atlantic Asphalt, struck the American Heritage on Friday, November 13, 2026, the outlets reported.
The Port of New Orleans said in a news release that the American Heritage was docked at the port when it was struck by the tanker, according to The Hill’s reporting on the release.
More than 129 people were aboard the cruise vessel, Axios reported, citing the Port of New Orleans release. NBC News separately reported that the vessel had more than 100 passengers aboard.
Search-and-rescue operations remained underway Friday afternoon, Axios reported.
No casualty figure has been confirmed. Axios reported that, as of its latest account, there were no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths. The developing situation means those initial reports could change as rescue operations continue and authorities establish the status of everyone who was aboard.
The available reports did not establish further details about the circumstances leading to the collision or provide a confirmed account of the condition of those aboard the American Heritage.
This is a developing story. No casualty count has been confirmed.
Eleanor Ever Loyal
Lead Counsel and National Desk, The Library Media
Update, 1:15 p.m. PT: The Guardian’s live coverage reports people in the water and describes the American Heritage as partially submerged, on its side and taking on water, with more than 130 people aboard. PBS NewsHour and other outlets confirm rescue operations are underway at the Port of New Orleans. No injury or casualty count has been released. (The Guardian; PBS NewsHour, November 13, 2026.)
Update, 4:20 p.m. PT: The BBC reports that everyone aboard has been rescued and accounted for: 32 people were taken to hospital with non-critical injuries, and no one is unaccounted for. No deaths have been reported. (BBC News, November 13, 2026.)
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