A rescue operation on the Mississippi River was successful, with officials saving all passengers and crew aboard the American Heritage cruise ship. No one was lost, despite the ship tilting, capsizing, and taking on water in the river.
Updates on the dramatic accident involving the American Heritage cruise ship in the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: Officials have now rescued all passengers and crew with no missing persons, despite the vessel tilting before capsizing in the river, prompting an urgent evacuation.
Helena Moreno, mayor of New Orleans, praised the rescue operation as a "miracle on the Mississippi River," crediting the success to the rescue and emergency personnel who jumped in to assist without hesitation, confirming that no one was missing.
However, the incident resulted in 32 people sustaining injuries; all were taken to hospital with minor wounds.
Melanie Montroll, executive at the Port of New Orleans, said officials were alerted around 13:30 local time on Friday, 13 November, after passengers began evacuating as water entered the ship and it started to tilt before finally capsizing.
The rescue effort involved cooperation among tugboat operators, police, and multiple rescue agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard supported local authorities, and river traffic on the Mississippi was temporarily halted to ensure a safe search and rescue operation.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called it miraculous that everyone on board survived, pledging to investigate the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump praised the rescue as an outstanding achievement.
The American Heritage can carry up to 150 passengers. At the time of the accident, it was concluding an eight-day cruise along the Mississippi River through Louisiana and Mississippi states.
.BBC
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