Tragedy in New Orleans: a vehicle hits the crowd, causing at least 10 deaths and 30 injuries

New Orleans, known for its vibrancy and festive atmosphere, became the scene of a tragedy on New Year’s Eve. At 3:15 a.m. local time, a vehicle violently struck a crowd at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street, on the edge of the French Quarter, causing at least 10 deaths and 30 injuries, according to local authorities.

A festive night turned into mourning

The city of Louisiana, which was celebrating the new year and hosting a major college football game, experienced an exceptional influx of visitors. Unfortunately, this festive context magnified the impact of the incident.

“A horrible act of violence occurred on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,” denounced Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana, on X (formerly Twitter), while urging people to avoid the area.

Witness accounts of the chaos

Witnesses described a chaotic and harrowing scene. A young woman present in a nearby nightclub told CNN:

“Everyone started screaming and running to the back. When they finally let us out, the police told us to leave quickly. I saw several bodies and people receiving emergency care.”

Another witness reported hearing “gunshots,” although this detail has yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Investigation underway

At this stage, no information has been released regarding the identity of the driver or whether the act was intentional or accidental. Law enforcement continues their investigation to clarify the circumstances of the tragedy, while emergency services remain on-site to manage this dire situation.

This tragedy has shaken New Orleans, leaving its residents and visitors in deep sorrow at the start of the year.