A tanker has collided with a docked cruise ship in New Orleans, with reports suggesting more than 120 people were on board the cruise ship
A rescue operation has been launched, with people being pulled from the water; images show the cruise ship lying on its side
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says: "We are aware of the incident on the Mississippi and we are in close contact with local officials and law enforcement. I am headed to New Orleans now"
This is a breaking news story, we'll bring you more information shortly
We're expecting a news conference to start shortly, following the collision on the Mississippi River.
You'll be able to watch live at the top of the page and we'll bring you the latest updates here - stick with us.
By Jake Horton
The cargo ship that collided with a cruise ship is a tanker named the Atlantic Asphalt.
The tanker's journey on ship tracking site MarineTraffic shows:
A witness, Jamie Holford, has told the BBC's US partner CBS News that he saw the cruise ship hit the dock following the collision.
"It sounded like a war movie. Just imagine tons of steel crunching. That's what it sounded like," he says.
"It looked like something off the Titanic."
He adds he saw passengers and crew members "hollering" and "crying" as they tried to get off the ship while it was sinking.
American Cruise Lines has confirmed to the BBC its "American Heritage" boat was involved in the crash.
The boat can carry up to 150 guests and features a glass-enclosed restaurant, fitness centre and three guest lounges, according to its website.
"From the staterooms and suites to the lounges and dining rooms, the modern American Heritage features a serene color palette, luxurious textiles and linens, comfortable furniture, and sophisticated artwork and flourishes, celebrating the Mighty Mississippi River," American Cruise Lines writes.
The boat, which was built in 2015, has at least four decks.
Following a tanker colliding with a docked cruise ship in New Orleans - the latest images show a ship on its side, with emergency workers at the scene.
Image source, Enan Chediak/The Advocate via AP
Image source, Enan Chediak/The Advocate via AP
Image source, Enan Chediak/The Advocate via AP
Image source, Enan Chediak/The Advocate via APVideo shared on social media show the tanker approach the cruise ship slowly and hit it on its side.
Then footage shows the cruise ship begin to tip on its side - and it can then be seen laying on its side.
Other videos show people in the water holding on to life rafts, and rescuers attempting to pull people out of the water.
The US Coast Guard says it is responding to the collision between a tanker and cruise ship on the Mississippi River.
"The river is closed to all vessel traffic between mile markers 93 and 96 while responders assess the situation and conduct response operations," the Coast Guard tells the BBC.
It adds that the situation is still developing and more information will be shared as it becomes available.
The Acadian Ambulance service, which works in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, has said it is assisting first responders at the scene.
"Acadian currently has 15 units and 2 sprint trucks on scene, has transported 8 patients so far, and is prepared to send additional units if needed," it says in an update on X.
Tanker seen after collision with cruise ship
"Emergency crews are responding to a collision involving a cargo ship and a riverboat cruise ship," the city of New Orleans shares on their Facebook page.
"Multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue efforts remain ongoing," the post reads.
"This remains an active and ongoing incident"
American Cruise Lines confirms to the BBC that its riverboat American Heritage was involved in a collision while it was docked in New Orleans.
The cruise line is coordinating with the US Coast Guard and local authorities, it says.
"Guests and crew were evacuated, and we are deeply concerned for everyone involved," the cruise line says, adding it will share more information as it becomes available.
A ferry service across the Mississippi River has been temporarily suspended as "a precaution" after a "collision involving two vessels", government agency Nola Ready says.
"Plan alternate routes," the agency says on social media.
Another image appears to show the docked cruise ship lying on its side in the river.
Image source, Associated PressJeff Landry, the Governor of Louisiana, says on social media that his office is "aware of" an "incident on the Mississippi", following reports that a tanker has collided with a cruise ship docked at the Port of New Orleans.
"I am headed to New Orleans now," Landry says.
Stick with us as we continue to provide updates on this developing story.
At least 14 people have been rescued from the Mississippi River following the collision, the BBC's US partner CBS News reports.
As a reminder, reports have been suggesting there were more than 120 on board the docked cruise ship.
Images show emergency personnel responding to the incident. The tanker, which collided with the docked cruise ship, is seen below.
Other images show the cruise ship lying on its side in the river.
Image source, WWLShip tracking service MarineTraffic has confirmed that a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker has collided with an American Heritage river cruise ship in the Mississippi River near New Orleans.
"The passenger vessel was reportedly taking on water and was seen lying on her side, with around 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, aboard at the time of the collision," the service says.
At 160 metres, the tanker is twice the length of the 81-metre cruise ship, according to MarineTraffic.
A "major" rescue operation is under way, the service added.
The New Orleans Fire Department has confirmed a collison involving a cargo ship and a riverboat cruise ship near the Port of New Orleans in the Mississippi River.
"Multiple individuals have been rescued, and search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing," the department says.
Reports suggest more than 120 people were on board the docked cruise ship.