New Orleans carnage: 10 dead; ‘body came flying at me’, says witness

At least 10 people were killed and 30 others injured after a vehicle drove into a large crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana on New Year's Day.

The New Orleans field office of Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe in the case with a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) also having been recovered from the scene.

Driver fired at bystanders: Reports

The incident reportedly occurred at around 3.15 am on Wednesday (January 1), at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets which witnesses a large gathering of crowds during the holiday season.

The area, known for its vibrant nightlife, was packed with revellers celebrating New Year.

Also read: 7 Indians among around 200 injured in German Christmas market attack

Body came flying at me, says witness

Bystanders said the vehicle was white in colour and they saw it dash through a barricade and crash into a group of people on the sidewalk.

Giving a first-hand account of the incident, 22-two-year-old Kevin Garcia told CCN that one of the bodies “came flying” at him after the truck ploughed into the crowd.

“All I saw was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk,” he said.

Driver fired at bystanders

The incident escalated further when the driver exited the vehicle and began firing a weapon at bystanders. Law enforcement officials responded swiftly, engaging the suspect in an exchange of gunfire.

“We heard gunfire, saw police running in that direction,” Nicole Mowrer, another bystander told the media adding that she and her husband took refuge in a nearby alcove until the shooting stopped and later saw injured people of the street.

Witnesses told the media that police cordoned off the area and urged them to leave the place for their safety.

“When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and told us to get out of the area fast,” Whit Davis told CNN.

“I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.”

Driver hellbent on creating carnage: Police

According to reports the injured have been admitted to five local hospitals.

Officials have not yet released the identity or motives of the suspect.

Also read: Student, teacher killed in Wisconsin school shooting; shooter found dead Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, however, commented that the driver was “hellbent on creating the carnage and damage.”

Horrific act, says Louisiana Governor

In a post on X, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the incident “a horrific act” while offering his prayers for the victims and first responders at the spot and urging people in the vicinity to avoid the area.

The attack comes in the run up to Super Bowl, a football match in the city that draws thousands of fans.

The incident also comes days after five were killed and more than 200 were injured when a car ploughed into a bustling Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg