BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty found herself apologising to a guest live on air after making a mistake.
The presenter was back on the famous red sofa with Charlie Stayt on Thursday (January 2) morning, delivering the news about a tragic incident in New Orleans where at least 15 people lost their lives and 30 were injured. A vehicle drove into a crowd in the city’s popular Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The FBI said US army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, from Texas, was driving a pick-up truck that bore the flag of the Islamic State group which steered around a police blockade and slammed into New Year’s Eve revellers. The driver, who was shot dead by police, is not thought to have acted alone, the FBI said.
An investigation is ongoing into Jabbar’s “potential associations and affiliations” with terrorist organisations. A potential improvised explosive device was found in the truck, and other potential IEDs were discovered in the French Quarter, according to the FBI.
During an interview with eyewitness Scott Nelson, who was at a nightclub near Bourbon Street when the horror unfolded, Naga encountered a hiccup when she seemed to become confused. Introducing Scott via video link, Naga said: “Scott, hello to you.
“I know you are not in New Orleans now but you were there. Can you just tell me what you knew as the incident was happening because you was inside a nightclub?”
Naga Munchetty was speaking to Scott Nelson on BBC Breakfast live from New Orleans
Responding, he said: “Good Morning, I actually am still in New Orleans. The scene is directly behind me.
“I was in a nightclub probably 30 metres or so from the scene where the truck crashed and immediately we saw people fleeing the scene and law enforcements running towards it”, reports the Express.
Naga then acknowledged: “It’s very clear that you are still shaken and you are still in the city of New Orleans now, my apologies.”
At least 15 people lost their lives and another 30 were injured in New Orleans following an intentional attack by a pickup truck driver on a crowd
Scott proceeded to recount his “frightening” experience and explained the measures that were implemented during the incident. This news arrives on the heels of Naga announcing a significant career move after a decade hosting BBC Breakfast.
The journalist, aged 49, revealed on Instagram her plans to publish a new book, ‘It’s Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis’, set for release in April next year. The book comes after Naga’s personal struggle with being diagnosed with Adenomyosis, an endometrial disorder, following thirty years of enduring severe pain.
In addition, Naga shares testimonies from other women who have confronted similar obstacles within the healthcare system.
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am
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