More than 30 people were hospitalized but no deaths were reported after a freighter collided with a cruise ship on the Mississippi River in the US on Friday.
Authorities said at least 180 passengers and crew were rescued. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno described it as "a miracle on the Mississippi," adding that none of those hospitalized had critical injuries.
Footage showed the paddlewheel cruise boat, called The American Heritage, capsizing after the impact with the much larger cargo vessel and rescue teams rushing to get people in life jackets out of the water.
The accident happened near the port of New Orleans when the freighter Atlantic Asphalt hit the cruise ship while it was docked.
"It was just chaos," local witness Devon Flanagan was quoted by news agency AP.
"You had all types of ships, like other barges and other companies down there trying to help out, which also was a little convoluted because you had people still in the water," he described the scene.
The company operating The American Heritage , American Cruise Lines, said in a statement that "guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved."
According to AP, the cruise ship was built in 2015, is five stories tall and can hold up to 150 passengers.
