A tragic helicopter crash near the Port of New Orleans has left two people dead and prompted the temporary closure of part of the Mississippi River. The incident occurred Thursday morning, when the aircraft went down near mile marker 90.5, south of New Orleans.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying teams to recover the MD 369 wreckage and assist with the investigation. Recovery efforts were hampered by difficult conditions, but both victims were later confirmed deceased. Authorities have not yet released their identities, pending family notification.
As a safety precaution, marine traffic was halted between mile markers 89 and 91. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly investigating the cause of the crash.
Officials have not speculated on what may have led to the incident. The river remains closed until further notice to ensure a thorough investigation and safe cleanup.
