New Orleans. 12 people died and 30 were injured when a car plowed into a crowd on New Orleans Canal and Bourbon Street in the US on Wednesday. This information was given by the city’s emergency preparedness agency Nola Ready. New Orleans Police had earlier said that they were dealing with a situation like a mass casualty incident. Nola Ready advised people to stay away from the area. According to CNN report, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has released preliminary information about the attack that took place on the first day of the New Year, in which 12 people were killed.
Cantrell said that we know that the city of New Orleans was affected by the terrorist attack. He said that the incident is still under investigation. Officials said that a car hit a large crowd of people celebrating the New Year in the famous Bourbon Street area of New Orleans. 30 injured patients were taken to five local hospitals. This incident happened around 3:15 am local time.
Police say that the driver was intent on carrying out this massacre and also opened fire on the officers. The FBI has taken over the investigation and said an improvised explosive device was found at the scene. Agents are investigating this. Police officials said that the driver fired at the police officers from his car. He told that two officers have been shot, but their condition is stable. However, the FBI has denied that it was a terrorist incident.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the exact details of the incident were being investigated, adding that she was in contact with the White House and Louisiana’s governor. She is asking to pray for those who have lost their lives. They asked people to stay away from the eight blocks around Bourbon Street where the incident happened.
FIRST PUBLISHED: January 1, 2025, 18:07 IST