At least ten people have died after a vehicle was driven into a crowd celebrating the New Year in the US city of New Orleans.
“The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street. There are 30 injured patients … and ten fatalities,” NOLA Ready, New Orleans emergency preparedness programme, said in a statement.
There are reports that a truck had crashed into the crowd at high speed at around 3am local time.
Emergency authorities did not state the time of the incident, but the area would have been packed with revellers celebrating New Year in the district known as the French Quarter.
CBS News has said that the driver got out of the vehicle and started firing a weapon, with police returning fire.
“Initial reports show a car may have ploughed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities,” New Orleans Police Department spokesperson told CBS News.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has described the incident as a “horrific act of violence” and urged people to avoid the area.
A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning.
Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene.
I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 1, 2025
More to follow…
