An SUV has ploughed into revellers celebrating New Year in New Orleans killing 10 people and injuring 30 others, it is confirmed.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, and Iberville at around 3.15am local time in New Orleans, Louisiana, with multiple people seen lying on the ground injured.
Witnesses said that a truck crashed into a crowd on Bourbon Street at high speed, and then the driver got out and started firing a weapon before police returned fire. There have also been reports of people evacuated from hotels in the area close to the incident.
New Orleans city has stated: “Mass Casualty Event on Canal and Bourbon Street. 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 that have been transported by NOEMS and 10 fatalities. Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as they are received.”
New Orleans Police Department has so far stated that a truck is reported to have run down the group on the famous street. It was unknown how many people were killed or injured, but unconfirmed reports on social media suggested a “mass casualty” incident.
Footage shows fleets of emergency service vehicles on Bourbon Street which has been closed and paramedics are on the scene currently. Images also show a scene of devastation with injured people lying on the ground and one clip appears to hear sounds of gunfire.
A New Orleans Police spokesperson told CBS News “initial reports show a car may have ploughed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities.” And New Orleans authorities also stated: “There has been a mass casualty incident on Canal and Bourbon Street. Get yourself away from the area.”
Police held back by a cordon at the scene
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Jim Mowrer, a US Army vet who claims he was on Bourbon Street with his wife at the time of the incident, said on X that he saw an SUV ‘speeding’ down the road and ‘running people over’.
He wrote: “Was on bourbon street in New Orleans went my wife tonight about 20 minutes ago. SUV came down speeding and running people over. Mass casualty event, tried to first aid but most were dead. Estimate double digit deaths.” Thousands of people have been in the area for New Year’s Eve celebrations. There was a golden-lit fleur de lis, a public concert stage and people enjoying themselves along Bourbon Street.
A witness described it as the “most horrific thing I’ve ever seen” with bodies on the ground after the vehicle struck them. They wrote on social media: “Yeah it was crazy. I was walking south on bourbon street, probably 75 yds away from canal st and I heard a loud noise. As I looked up I could see a truck crashing through the barricades.
“Right when I saw it I got ran into by several people, but I pushed them off and as I did the truck flew by me. I watched it speed by wondering if it was going to swerve and hit me and contemplating if I was going to have to jump out of the way. It sped by me and I watched it run into a crowd and then I saw people flying as it hit them. Everyone was running away, so I did as well, as I exited bourbon st onto canal, I could see at least two people seriously injured, unconscious and bloody. It was the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen.
People have been told to avoid the area by police following the incident
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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated: “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.”
And a journalist wrote on X: “NOPD source states that as many as 10 fatalities after driver in pickup truck plowed into crowd on Bourbon Street. Multiple more injuries. Mayor and police chief on scene.” Another working for WWLTV stated: “We’re hearing reports of numerous people being my struck by a vehicle and shots being fired in the French Quarter. The Orleans Parish Coroner has arrived on Canal St. “
People awaited the final countdown to 2025 in the French Quarter with a chilly night of music, laughter, beverages and fireworks along the curve of the Mississippi River before the tragic incident occurred a few hours later. Tourism officials said hotel occupancy rates were high in the city, both for the holiday and from an influx of college football fans in the city for Wednesday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame University.