A riverboat with over 100 passengers was struck Friday in New Orleans by a much larger tanker ship, capsizing the cruise vessel and prompting a major rescue effort in the Mississippi River.
\n\nThe American Heritage ship, managed by American Cruise Lines, was T-boned by the tanker while docked near the French Quarter, a spokesperson said in a statement.
\n\n“We are in close coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities,” the statement said. “Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved.”
\n\nThere were nearly 130 passengers on board the Heritage, which had been docked in the port for about two hours before the incident, NBC News affiliate WDSU reported.
\n\nInvestigators were working to determine the cause of the collision. The Heritage was struck around 12:30 p.m. local time.
\n\nPresident Trump was briefed on the collision, a senior White House official said. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he was aware of the crash and was in contact with local officials and law enforcement. Landry was headed to New Orleans, he said on X.
\n\nVideo and images verified by NBC News show a number of people wearing life jackets in the water near the site of…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business