New Orleans Mayor, Helena Moreno, has described as a miracle the successful rescue of passengers from the Mississippi River following a collision between a tanker ship and a cruise boat.
The mayor said all passengers were accounted for after the incident, which occurred when the tanker reportedly lost control and crashed into the cruise ship.
However, more than 30 of the 180 passengers rescued were taken to hospital for treatment. They are reportedly responding to medical care.
American Cruise Lines also confirmed that its riverboat, American Heritage, was involved in a collision while docked in New Orleans on Friday.
Emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene, where they carried out a major rescue operation that ended successfully.
Melanie Montroll, Chief Public Safety and Emergency Management Officer at the Port of New Orleans, said the boat began taking on water while passengers were being evacuated.
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'It’s a miracle' - US Mayor reacts as two ships collide in Mississippi River