A speeding rammed pedestrian crowd on Wednesday (January 1, 2025) causing several casualties and injuries in New Orleans. The incident took place in early hours of first day of the new year.
"initial reports show a car may have plowed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities,” New Orleans Police spokesperson said as per BBC.
Media reports have also said that the person driving the vehicle first rammed into the crowd and then exited the vehicle to start firing.
Horrific videos from the scene have emerged showing a street devastated by the violent act and those injured lying in wait of assistance, some of them even bleeding.
THE VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC VISUALS AND MAY BE DISTURBING FOR SOME VIEWERS. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Local authorities have told American media that 10 people have been killed and 30 have been injured. The injured have been moved to hospital and are receiving medical help.
Immediately after the initial reports of the incident, New Orleans Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and said that there has been a 'mass casualty incident'.
It is not yet clear if the person driving the vehicle has been apprehended. The motive behind the violent act has not yet been revealed.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed sadness and condemned the violent act through his official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
Currently, a large number of police officials and medical personnel are present on the Bourbon Street.
