A tanker struck a docked overnight cruise ship on the Mississippi River in New Orleans about 12:30 p.m. Friday, and fire, police, Coast Guard and medical crews were conducting rescues, Port of New Orleans officials said^2,3.

Port officials identified the tanker as the Atlantic Asphalt and the cruise vessel as American Cruise Lines' American Heritage, which was docked outside 1350 Port of New Orleans Place as passengers began to leave the ship^2,3.

About 129 passengers, plus crew, were aboard at the time, according to the port^2,3. WDSU reported the ship had docked about two hours earlier³.

The New Orleans Fire Department, the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel were on scene, officials said^2,3. Port NOLA Harbor Police were also on scene, WDSU reported³. Passengers were being taken into the port administration building for triage, WDSU reported, citing the port³.

The port said in a statement that injuries and the cause of the allision had not been confirmed³. Mayor Helena Moreno said multiple people had been rescued and that search-and-rescue remained underway³.

The Guardian, citing an emergency-response source, said crews were trying to get people out of the water and that it was possible the tanker had lost power before the strike; that account was not independently confirmed in the other reports¹.