At least ten people have died and more than 30 have been injured in a crash on a busy street in the city of New Orleans, in the state of Louisiana, according to local US authorities.
US media cite several witnesses who claim that a truck crashed into a crowd at high speed and then the driver got out and began firing a gun, with police returning fire. At least two officers have been injured, but their lives are not in danger.
The event occurred around 3:15 a.m. (local time) at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, which bring together large crowds in the city’s French Quarter.
The mayor of the city of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell said in a brief press appearance that the “exact details” of the event were still “under investigation” and that she was in contact at all times with the governor of the State. The councilor has described it as a “terrorist attack” and has asked the population to avoid approaching the buildings that are on the street where the attack took place. In the same press appearance, Special Agent Althea Duncan said that it is not being investigated as “a terrorist act” and that “improvised explosive devices” had been found at the scene, although it is not yet known if they work.
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said in that press conference that the man drove a truck “down Bourbon Street at a very fast pace.” According to his explanation, the man showed “very intentional behavior” and was “trying to run over as many people as he could.”
The numbers may change, but authorities have confirmed that 10 people have died and at least 35 others have been injured. The FBI has taken over the investigation.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has asked everyone to avoid the area. “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street this morning (…) I urge everyone near the scene to avoid the area,” he said.
Source: www.eldiario.es
