In a well-known tourist district in New Orleans, the city’s government reported on Wednesday that at least 10 people were killed and 30 were hurt when a vehicle struck a crowd.
“The 8th District is currently pursuing a large-scale casualty incident involving a vehicle that struck a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street. There are 30 injured patients … and 10 fatalities”, NOLA Ready, New Orleans emergency preparedness program, said in a statement.
The area would have been crowded with revelers ringing in the French Quarter as a result of the emergency authorities’ failure to disclose the incident’s time.
Witnesses claim that a truck struck the crowd at “high speed,” before the driver jumped out and began firing a weapon, with police responding with gunfire.
A vehicle that struck a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street is currently the subject of a “mass casualty incident” at the 8th , District. There are 30 injured patients … and 10 fatalities”, NOLA Ready, New Orleans emergency preparedness program, said in a statement.
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– Carnage in a famous neighborhood
The French Quarter, a district known for its bars, restaurants, and jazz history, would have been crowded with revelers in the wee hours of the year’s debut.
Witness Jim Mowrer reported to CBS News that a white truck “struck through a barricade at a very high rate of speed.”
We were able to flee onto the sidewalk and into a building’s doorway for protection while we were in the middle of the road. We did hear gunfire, saw police running”, he said.
“Once the gunfire stopped, we stayed in the alcove until the gunfire stopped, came out into the street, and came across a lot of — several people who had been hit, (we) wanted to see what we could do to help”, he said.
“People we came across were unfortunately deceased”.
The incident occurred just before the city’s famous Sugar Bowl game, which features teams from the University of Georgia and Notre Dame, took place in New Orleans, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
Policing was heavy over the New Year’s, according to the city, as authorities braced for big crowds.
The city’s police department had stated that there would be “100 percent” of staffing, with “a further 300 officers assisting from partner law enforcement agencies,” including on horseback and in unmarked vehicles.
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